The most beautiful reef-safe wrasse is the epitome of beauty in a saltwater aquarium. But which one is it?

[EliMelly]

I’m getting a couple blues in soon I think! Can’t wait!

 

[tbrown]

For me the Anampses or tamarin wrasse are probably the most beautiful. The top 3 being the A Chrysocephalus, the A femininus, and the A lennardi. Unfortunately the first is Hawaiian and the next two are out of my price range. However my Anampses meleagrides is still very beautiful:

After them for me are the Leopards or the Macropharyngodon. They just have the issue that the males are not nearly as pretty. M cyanoguttatus, M geoffoyri, and M Choati are the best of this genus but I love my Red Sea, M marisrubri:

Of course then there are the flashers and fairies, Paracheilinus and Cirrhilabrus. These can be a little bland as juveniles and females but once they go male they usually become stunning. My favorites of these are difficult as they are all pretty equal if different but if pressed I’d go with the blue flasher, P cyaneus.

Some honorable mentions to other wrasse like the beautiful Pseudojuloides atavai, and one of my personal favorites the radiant wrasse, Halichoeres iridis:

I’d keep going but luckily “reef safe” was stipulated.

I figured you'd have a couple of handfuls of answers.

 

[JoJosReef]

Looking forward to my first wrasse, a female M. bipartitis, arriving from Dr. reef next week (fingers crossed for happy/healthy). That's one I find beautiful.

The one I find the most attractive and most want is H. iridis.

The Hawaiian flame wrasse, Cirrhilabrus jordani, might be the Mr. Universe of wrasses though.

 

[shakacuz]

I’m getting a couple blues in soon I think! Can’t wait!

from where?!

 

[Slocke]

from where?!

It is a kind gift given to me by another hobbiest via Dr. Reef. Also unlike the Madagascar it is a reasonably priced fish. Of course like any flasher it will take some time and effort to get its best colors.

 

[Slocke]

I figured you'd have a couple of handfuls of answers.

Haha
And I was expecting a 3 page list from @i cant think and @Petcrazyson

 

[tbrown]

Haha
And I was expecting a 3 page list from @i cant think and @Petcrazyson

Yep! I was surprised not to see a huge list from @Petcrazyson .... Yet?

 

[N1tew0lf1212]

Yep! I was surprised not to see a huge list from @Petcrazyson .... Yet?

Yet is the key word in this one

 

[i cant think]

Attention wrasse lovers!

When it comes to reef-safe wrasses, there are many options, each with their own unique characteristics and beauty. The vibrant colors and patterns of the Fairy Wrasse are captivating no doubt! The variety of colors, the graceful swimming movements, and compatibility with other fish make the reef-safe wrasse a centerpiece for many reefs here at R2R and within the hobby as a whole. But which one is the most beautiful? I need your help!

Which reef-safe wrasse do you consider to be the epitome of beauty in a reef tank?

Parachellinus: The “Flasher” wrasse image via @gparr

Why have just one wrasse? They’re all beautiful in their own way!
Number one has to be the 6-line though…

 

[i cant think]

Really, my favourite wrasses (Available currently/not so pricey) have to be;
Cirrhilabrus shutmani - Magma Fairy
Cirrhilabrus naokoae - Naoko’s Fairy
Cirrhilabrus hygroxerus - Monsoon Fairy
Cirrhilabrus africanus - Kenyan Fairy
Cirrhilabrus isosceles - Pintail Fairy
Cirrhilabrus lubbocki - Lubbock’s Fairy (Both Variants)
Halichoeres cosmetus - Adorned
Halichoeres iridis - Radiant
Halichoeres melasmopomus - Earmuff
Halichoeres chloropterus - Jade/Green ‘Coris’
Halichoeres rubricephalus - Red Head
Halichoeres zeylonicus - Goldstripe
Halichoeres pelicieri - Pelicier’s
Halichoeres leucoxanthus - Silvery Belly
Paracheilinus rubricaudalis - Redtail Flasher
Paracheilinus lineopunctatus - Line Spot Flasher
Paracheilinus cyaneus - Blue Flasher
Paracheilinus flavianalis - Yellowfin Flasher
Paracheilinus angulatus - Royal Flasher
Paracheilinus filamentosus - Filamented Flasher
Paracheilinus attenuatus - Attenuated Flasher
Coris caudimacula - Spottail Coris
Coris dorsomacula - Pale-Barred Coris
Anampses neoguinaicus - Black Back Tamarin
Anampses melanusus - White Spotted Tamarin
Anampses lineatus - Lined Tamarin
Macropharyngodon choati - Choat’s Leopard
Macropharyngodon negrosensis - Black Leopard
Macropharyngodon marisrubri - Red Sea Leopard
Macropharyngodon bipartitus - Blue Star Leopard
Macropharyngodon meleagris - Leopard


And my other favourites/likeable (Unavailable/Rarer/Pricey);
Paracheilinus alfiani - Alfian’s Flasher
Paracheilinus bellae - Bell’s Flasher
Paracheilinus hemaetaniatus - Madagascan Half-Bar Flasher
Paracheilinus piscilineatus - Mauritius Flasher
Cirrhilabrus johnsoni - Johnson’s Fairy
Cirrhilabrus jordani - Flame Fairy
Cirrhilabrus claire - Claire’s Fairy
Cirrhilabrus earlei - Earl’s Fairy
Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus - Pintail Fairy
Cirrhilabrus apterygia - Mutant Fairy
Cirrhilabrus wakanda - Vibranium Fairy
Anampses chrycosephalus - Redtailed Tamarin
Anampses geographicus - Geographic Tamarin
Macropharyngodon vivienae - Vivienne’s Leopard
Macropharyngodon geoffroyi - Potter’s Leopard
Macropharyngodon cyanoguttatus - Blue Spot Leopard

And now a few photos of the wrasses I own!

 

[revhtree]

Really, my favourite wrasses (Available currently/not so pricey) have to be;
Cirrhilabrus shutmani - Magma Fairy
Cirrhilabrus naokoae - Naoko’s Fairy
Cirrhilabrus hygroxerus - Monsoon Fairy
Cirrhilabrus africanus - Kenyan Fairy
Cirrhilabrus isosceles - Pintail Fairy
Cirrhilabrus lubbocki - Lubbock’s Fairy (Both Variants)
Halichoeres cosmetus - Adorned
Halichoeres iridis - Radiant
Halichoeres melasmopomus - Earmuff
Halichoeres chloropterus - Jade/Green ‘Coris’
Halichoeres rubricephalus - Red Head
Halichoeres zeylonicus - Goldstripe
Halichoeres pelicieri - Pelicier’s
Halichoeres leucoxanthus - Silvery Belly
Paracheilinus rubricaudalis - Redtail Flasher
Paracheilinus lineopunctatus - Line Spot Flasher
Paracheilinus cyaneus - Blue Flasher
Paracheilinus flavianalis - Yellowfin Flasher
Paracheilinus angulatus - Royal Flasher
Paracheilinus filamentosus - Filamented Flasher
Paracheilinus attenuatus - Attenuated Flasher
Coris caudimacula - Spottail Coris
Coris dorsomacula - Pale-Barred Coris
Anampses neoguinaicus - Black Back Tamarin
Anampses melanusus - White Spotted Tamarin
Anampses lineatus - Lined Tamarin
Macropharyngodon choati - Choat’s Leopard
Macropharyngodon negrosensis - Black Leopard
Macropharyngodon marisrubri - Red Sea Leopard
Macropharyngodon bipartitus - Blue Star Leopard
Macropharyngodon meleagris - Leopard


And my other favourites/likeable (Unavailable/Rarer/Pricey);
Paracheilinus alfiani - Alfian’s Flasher
Paracheilinus bellae - Bell’s Flasher
Paracheilinus hemaetaniatus - Madagascan Half-Bar Flasher
Paracheilinus piscilineatus - Mauritius Flasher
Cirrhilabrus johnsoni - Johnson’s Fairy
Cirrhilabrus jordani - Flame Fairy
Cirrhilabrus claire - Claire’s Fairy
Cirrhilabrus earlei - Earl’s Fairy
Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus - Pintail Fairy
Cirrhilabrus apterygia - Mutant Fairy
Cirrhilabrus wakanda - Vibranium Fairy
Anampses chrycosephalus - Redtailed Tamarin
Anampses geographicus - Geographic Tamarin
Macropharyngodon vivienae - Vivienne’s Leopard
Macropharyngodon geoffroyi - Potter’s Leopard
Macropharyngodon cyanoguttatus - Blue Spot Leopard

And now a few photos of the wrasses I own!

BUT...did I miss your pick for most beautiful?

 

[Slocke]

BUT...did I miss your pick for most beautiful?

It’s well known his favorite is Iniistius celebicus

Really, my favourite wrasses (Available currently/not so pricey) have to be;
Cirrhilabrus shutmani - Magma Fairy
Cirrhilabrus naokoae - Naoko’s Fairy
Cirrhilabrus hygroxerus - Monsoon Fairy
Cirrhilabrus africanus - Kenyan Fairy
Cirrhilabrus isosceles - Pintail Fairy
Cirrhilabrus lubbocki - Lubbock’s Fairy (Both Variants)
Halichoeres cosmetus - Adorned
Halichoeres iridis - Radiant
Halichoeres melasmopomus - Earmuff
Halichoeres chloropterus - Jade/Green ‘Coris’
Halichoeres rubricephalus - Red Head
Halichoeres zeylonicus - Goldstripe
Halichoeres pelicieri - Pelicier’s
Halichoeres leucoxanthus - Silvery Belly
Paracheilinus rubricaudalis - Redtail Flasher
Paracheilinus lineopunctatus - Line Spot Flasher
Paracheilinus cyaneus - Blue Flasher
Paracheilinus flavianalis - Yellowfin Flasher
Paracheilinus angulatus - Royal Flasher
Paracheilinus filamentosus - Filamented Flasher
Paracheilinus attenuatus - Attenuated Flasher
Coris caudimacula - Spottail Coris
Coris dorsomacula - Pale-Barred Coris
Anampses neoguinaicus - Black Back Tamarin
Anampses melanusus - White Spotted Tamarin
Anampses lineatus - Lined Tamarin
Macropharyngodon choati - Choat’s Leopard
Macropharyngodon negrosensis - Black Leopard
Macropharyngodon marisrubri - Red Sea Leopard
Macropharyngodon bipartitus - Blue Star Leopard
Macropharyngodon meleagris - Leopard


And my other favourites/likeable (Unavailable/Rarer/Pricey);
Paracheilinus alfiani - Alfian’s Flasher
Paracheilinus bellae - Bell’s Flasher
Paracheilinus hemaetaniatus - Madagascan Half-Bar Flasher
Paracheilinus piscilineatus - Mauritius Flasher
Cirrhilabrus johnsoni - Johnson’s Fairy
Cirrhilabrus jordani - Flame Fairy
Cirrhilabrus claire - Claire’s Fairy
Cirrhilabrus earlei - Earl’s Fairy
Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus - Pintail Fairy
Cirrhilabrus apterygia - Mutant Fairy
Cirrhilabrus wakanda - Vibranium Fairy
Anampses chrycosephalus - Redtailed Tamarin
Anampses geographicus - Geographic Tamarin
Macropharyngodon vivienae - Vivienne’s Leopard
Macropharyngodon geoffroyi - Potter’s Leopard
Macropharyngodon cyanoguttatus - Blue Spot Leopard

And now a few photos of the wrasses I own!

There’s the list we were all waiting for! Full of controversy but ah well.

 

[i cant think]

BUT...did I miss your pick for most beautiful?

Most beautiful is a tricky one…
Hm, maybe if we split it into 2 sections then it’ll be easiest!
Hidden beauty vs Obvious beauty!
Hidden beauty is a win for Xenojulis margaritaceus! They look green at first sight and then you look at them closer and spot a million colours in one green patch!

Obvious beauty is a tie between a Cirrhilabrus and a Paracheilinus!
Cirrhilabrus shutmani is my dream wrasse as one shade of red can be a million shades in that wrasse!

And the second tied fish to first place is Paracheilinus attenuatus. This fish is very obvious in its beauty, I love the finnage more than I do the colours (although they also add to this reason of tied).

 

[SixlineRyan]

The Sixline for sure, but I may be biased.

 

[i cant think]

It’s well known his favorite is Iniistius celebicus

There’s the list we were all waiting for! Full of controversy but ah well.

Be happy I didn’t hate on Johnsoni for once haha.

 

[blazn]

As a wrasse lover (I currently have 6 in my DT), it's hard to choose one, but I'd have to go with the McCosker's (as several others mentioned), but my Equisite is no slouch.

 

[i cant think]

As a wrasse lover (I currently have 6 in my DT), it's hard to choose one, but I'd have to go with the McCosker's (as several others mentioned), but my Equisite is no slouch.

Be careful with those two iridis - their mouths look damaged already which could be a risk of their long term health and feeding.

 

[blazn]

Be careful with those two iridis - their mouths look damaged already which could be a risk of their long term health and feeding.

Thanks for the advice! Due to their propensity to not ship well, I made a road trip to pick up my Radiant. The supplier unexpectedly provided me with two, as he wanted to be sure at least one survived the trip. Fortunately he did, as the larger of the two turned out to be very timid and 'disappeared' after a day or two, never to be found again. The smaller specimen was never intimidated and was an aggressive eater and has been doing well for the bulk of a year now.

 

[i cant think]

I’m getting a couple blues in soon I think! Can’t wait!

I had a blue… well, half of a blue Atleast.

I’d still love another hybrid flasher however the unfortunate thing is how rare they are to emerge let alone a 3 way hybrid like this guy most likely was.

 

[juarec0201]

I vote for either the Flame Wrasse

Or the Rosy Scale Wrasse.

Just got a Rosey Scale, though I thought it was called Ruby head. Any how such a pretty wrasse addition