flashing fish?

So I like the idea of a flashing fish - one that changes colours depending on its mood. However, I don't know which fish best display this tendency. I've heard of several types of flasher wrasses, but don't know which ones actually flash the most. I've also heard of flashing tilefish, but I understand those are particularly difficult to keep. Any suggestions?

 

Based on videos I've seen, the tile fish flashing is the most impressive. But I have heard they are difficult to keep as well. I'm sure others on here will know more!

 

Everything I've read says the Tilefish are sensitive shippers as well. They also will only flash when startled once they are settled in.
I would look at a flasher wrasse (Paracheilinus genus) trio. You really need to have a male and at least one female, 2-3 females I believe is more preferable to spread out any aggression from the male towards the females. That is more natural as well.

McCoskers flashers are my personal favorite.

I'm not sure they will be a good addition if your signature is up to date though, that's a lot of fish for a 90 and flasher wrasses are generally timid, with those tangs and pseudochromis and damsel established already the flashers may find it difficult to get by.

 

my McCoskers Flasher Wrasse flashes all the time, maybe look into one of those

 

Wrasses are beautiful, and to get the most flashing and vivid colors, as said above, it's best to house a male with a female or two.

 

+1.

Give the male a little harem and he will be happy and flash all day.

 

Hmmm, thanks for the replies, everyone. My tank is overstocked as it is, although the filtration is good and parameters stable. I could perhaps get one more small fish (like a 3" flasher wrasse), but definitely not 3. So if he won't flash without the females, I may have to pass on the idea.

 

My wrasse flashes when he's ticked off. lol Just keep him angry! haha

 

mine flashes al the time he's by himself, but a lot of the times its when he's being picked on and is being submissive

 

If the wrasse doesn't have a female to flash at (or potentially a male flasher of another species) flashing is a sign of stress. I wouldn't expect a flasher to flash regularly unless it's regularly being picked on or has a female to flash for and having a female in the long run seems healthiest to me.

In an overstocked tank it might flash more often because there's always another fish around to keep it on edge but over time (maybe months) it might settle down and stop flashing. I had a McCoskers with a neon goby and purple firefish and he rarely flashed at all that I could see. Now having a male and female I can see what I was missing, it's awesome seeing them with their full colors.

I like keeping the male/female flashing, I feel like it's most natural.