Your favorite fish that's under $100 and what's the "sweet spot?"

sp1187 · Jan 17, 2020

Pyramid Butterfly Fish
very active
doesn't bother any of the other tank inhabitants

all time favorite was a white mouth moray eel I had back in the late 80's
$40 then, over $200 now if you can find one.

Pickwun · Jan 17, 2020

Laugh all you want, but the Yellowtail Damsel is probably my favorite. I've always thought they were one of the most visually striking fish. I'm sure my red/green colorblindness is a big factor in that. I know the Gramma is a "better" fish, but the colors aren't as intense.
I mean, just look at this guy.

K7BMG · Jan 17, 2020

Well I am currently contemplating a 3 inch Gem Tang at $399.00.
So I guess I fall into if I like it the price is well important but will make the sacrifice.

But for the under $100.00 mark. Man how do you pick a favorite?

ScottR · Jan 17, 2020

Not bragging but that $100 fish online is available for $5 in my LFS. The cost of livestock mesmerises me.

K7BMG · Jan 17, 2020

ScottR said:
Not bragging but that $100 fish online is available for $5 in my LFS. The cost of livestock mesmerises me.

What fish are you talking about? All of them across the board?
I want to know the name and address of the LFS your talking about, I can see a trip in the near future.

italquam · Jan 17, 2020

I would say a Yellow Tang, just simply striking seeing them swim across the tank.

Juniorh2r · Jan 17, 2020

The yellow coris wrasse not only do they look nice but are beneficial

McPuff · Jan 17, 2020

I chose under $150 because I was thinking of the more "centerpiece" fish. I've spent about that much a few times on angels and will do the same for the Labouti wrasse. These are fish that I have always wanted so it becomes/became a priority. Otherwise, I like to stay around $50-75 for the more "regular" fish. I definitely like to add some cheaper fish too, such as the azure and yellowtail damsels. I agree with the above poster, their colors are striking! I love having them in my display.

Barnabie Mejia · Jan 17, 2020

In my tank i think I would have to say my mandarin goby, cool fish and it will hover and have a stare off with me.....

Robert D'Amaro · Jan 17, 2020

I love my Gold Spot Rabbit Fish. He is under $100, changes color in different situations and for a bonus loves to eat algae out of my tank.

William Norman · Jan 17, 2020

My valentini puffer is quite the character. Very interactive with us. My Harlequin Tusk is my favorite looking fish he came with a group of fish that I purchased and the group avg less than 100 each. So he should qualify.

Anthony Ravenna · Jan 17, 2020

I like the Bella goby and partial to the mystery wrasse.Regal angel will be the last addition to my tank.

Sirlurkzalot · Jan 17, 2020

It may be boring but my favorite is clownfish. My son loves clownfish and we get a good laugh out of them being goofy in the tank.

hllb · Jan 17, 2020

I have a 32g tank now, so in that regard, I would say my Midas blenny is my favorite and was around $50. Beautiful, eats out of my hand, great personality.

For a larger tank, I still love a flame angel. Simply a striking fish.

Pete Witteried · Jan 17, 2020

Flame Hawk. Great color and he always swims over to the side of the tank I am on to check out what I am doing with those rotating "googly" eyes.

Brad Waddell Wrath's Reef · Jan 17, 2020

I chose the under $50. I have to say my Bicolor blenny is one of my favorite fish in my tank. Really a fun fish to watch. He does have a bit of an attitude, like bitting me when I reach into the tank lol. I also live my purple dottyback. Mean but amazing color. I did not pay retail for fish any more and that leaves it wide open for future favorite fish. Like the 4 inch yellow tang I got yesterday for $35 and it was quarantined for 6 weeks.

hllb · Jan 17, 2020

Pickwun said:
Laugh all you want, but the Yellowtail Damsel is probably my favorite. I've always thought they were one of the most visually striking fish. I'm sure my red/green colorblindness is a big factor in that. I know the Gramma is a "better" fish, but the colors aren't as intense.
I mean, just look at this guy.

My favorite damsel!

ceruleanspiral · Jan 17, 2020

revhtree said:
Beautiful fish in the saltwater aquarium hobby is not lacking and you don't have to spend a fortune to get a nice, good looking fish for your tank! So that being said let's talk about some great fish choices for under $100!

1. What's your favorite saltwater fish that's normally priced under $100?

2. What makes this fish your favorite choice?

I like clowns quite a bit. Also wrasses. Clowns are just neat and I love the relationship with nems (when they have them). Wrasses are just beautiful.

None of my fish are over $100. I have some basics. I have 2 "designer" clowns, a black ice and a bullet hole (basically black ice with spots) and they were $45 each. I have a royal gramma and a lawnmower blenny- both under $20. I would like to get black axil chromis, and those are around $12 usually.

I would really love a flame hawk fish, they are adorable and have a ton of personality. I just don't want it to eat my cleaner shrimp or my crabs.