Radiant/Mystery Wrasse

[7IHd]

I'm am so torn between these two fish and I wish I had a tank large enough to own every wrasse (however implausible that might be), haha. On the one hand, the mystery wrasse is just a gorgeous fish, and I love its eyes and color patterns and its psychedelic colors. But on the other, I love the body type of the radiant and its dark red body contrasted with its golden face and unique marking on the underjaw. Also, the difference in body type would make it more likely to get along with my cirrhilabrus that will also be in the same FOWLR. I'm basically looking for opinions of any who have owned one or the other (or better yet, both) of these fish.

Radiant

Mystery

 

[mchartier]

I have a Melanurus and a Mystery in a 90, I have had no problems so far once territories were established. I was originally looking for a radiant wrasse but ended up finding the Mystery wrasse. Both are gorgeous fish.

 

[Arthur1]

What size aquarium do you have?

 

[7IHd]

Right now, I have only a 35g and a 30g, so I'm going to be buying either fish as a juvenile or small adult and then upgrading tank size in about a year. My (female) cirrhilabrus is still only about 2" and will likely be the only tankmate.

 

[pesto]

I had a radiant wrasse and he was my favorite. They are jumpers and mine went carpet surfing after a year or so in the tank. Make sure you have a tight fitting lid! The radiant really has beautiful colors and markings.

 

[7IHd]

Did yours have the V-shaped pattern of color on the tail? I really love that, but only about half of the pictures of radiants I've seen have them. So sorry to hear about your radiant, btw

 

[pesto]

Radiant Wrasse

Yes . . . here is a picture!

 

[7IHd]

Wow, he was so gorgeous!

 

[7IHd]

Well, after much deliberation (I even dreamed about it) I have decided upon the mystery wrasse, but will probably at some point in the future own both. Put my mystery on order today!

 

[JBarry471]

Personally I would go with the mystery wrasse. I have one in my 90 gallon tank and it has a personality unlike anything else in my tank. It has no fear and swims right along side my desjardini, blue hippo and kole tangs. They are stunning to the eye and wander the tank out in the open regularly. Other the other wrasses I have kept stayed close to the rocks and were often skiddish.

For the amount I spent on mine ~$50, I've gotten at least if not more out of it. I say go mystery!