Is a helfrichi firefish really worth the price?

Bent · 11/30/2015, 06:27 PM

I've eyeballed these guys for a long time, but I've just never had the guts to pull the trigger on one.

Are they really that cool? I've always went for the purple when I wanted something other than a red. Are they much prettier than the purples?

kmbyrnes · 11/30/2015, 06:53 PM

If you like the fish, I say get one. After all, why are we doing this if not to have something we find beautiful to look at?
My wife and I spend hours looking at fish online. Then I research the ones we want and see if they will fit somewhere.
We don't mind spending money for something that makes looking at the tanks more enjoyable to watch.

snorvich · 11/30/2015, 07:05 PM

They are cool; price is indicative of capture difficulty rather than rarity.

davocean · 11/30/2015, 07:11 PM

They are awesome, and for the 12 hours I had mine very worth it, however both mine jumped the first night, and that was through 1/4" mesh top that was completely sealed inside perimeter of tank...

hogfanreefer · 11/30/2015, 07:17 PM

I actually like the N. exquisita even better and they are half the price of the helfrichi. Like Dave said they are about the worse jumpers I've ever kept.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...83&pcatid=3483

SoloChromis · 11/30/2015, 07:36 PM

Personally, I consider them to be one of the best looking saltwater fish available, let alone of the firefish. One of my local fish shops has several in and they've all been there a while and eating well, but my tank isn't covered yet, so I'm not ready to pull the trigger. However, I have heard many people claiming to have worse luck with the Helfrich's than they have with other species, so we'll see how it goes. I've attempted keeping several firefish (N. magnifica) over the years and they've never stuck around for more than a couple weeks beofore vanishing into thin air, which is another reason I'm hesitating.

gone fishin · 11/30/2015, 07:40 PM

They are a pretty fish but not for me. As someone else pointed out if you enjoy them then get one. After the holidays are over I am planning for a pair of Bellus angels, again not for everyone but I like them. Good luck

d2mini · 11/30/2015, 07:43 PM

I'd rather have a $15 purple fire fish.

billdogg · 11/30/2015, 07:56 PM

I pulled the trigger on one about 6 months ago. After a month in QT I put it in the DT. It hid for another month. The flame angel didn't help much with that. It's now out as soon as the lights come on and is out and about till the lights go out. One of my all time favorites.

e048 · 11/30/2015, 08:02 PM

I used to have a pair in my 90 before i went to out of the country and had it crash on me

Bought them as purple firefish from a stupid petco employee lulz

They never jumped or even tried it heck I lost a long nose hawkfish and a coral beauty to jumping but never those two...

Bent · 12/01/2015, 06:06 AM

Not planning on getting one any time soon as I already have a N. Mag and I dont want to risk another species. Just curious as to other peoples experiences.

Tweaked · 12/01/2015, 06:22 AM

I've picked them up for $40 each here in CT. I was told the mark up is just really high and got them for near or at cost. Great fish and colors IMO

toothybugs · 12/01/2015, 07:02 AM

Helfrichis are one of my favorite fish. I am in a pinch while the wifey is in school for the next 6 months but I have every intention of putting one in my 75 after the upgrade. I had one once before and though you do need a screen, they are amazingly colorful little fish.

So yes.

jaybfresh · 12/01/2015, 07:26 AM

I was able to snag one for $45 during a local black Friday sale, before that I had been on the fence.

However, I wouldn't spend $5 on a damsel. Cost is subjective.

sde1500 · 12/01/2015, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e048

Bought them as purple firefish from a stupid petco employee lulz

Just because the employee isn't educated properly by the employer about saltwater fish, doesn't make them stupid. Sorry that bothered me.

On topic, IDK they look cool, but don't think they look cool enough to be 4x more expensive than purple firefish.

d2mini · 12/01/2015, 09:57 AM

I look at it like this... if I had no idea what the prices were on the different fish, would the helfrichis be that much more appealing than the purple? IMHO, no. But that's just me.
It's just that sometimes, knowing the price going in makes the desire that much stronger.

jaybfresh · 12/01/2015, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

I look at it like this... if I had no idea what the prices were on the different fish, would the helfrichis be that much more appealing than the purple? IMHO, no. But that's just me.
It's just that sometimes, knowing the price going in makes the desire that much stronger.

I would say rarity has more impact than price to drive the desire, though they go hand in hand

drauka99 · 12/01/2015, 10:21 AM

I've always been happy with a plain firefish or a purple firefish. I like that is seem to have gotten lucky with a pair of firefish this time that share a burrow, don't hide and seem to get along well.

davocean · 12/01/2015, 10:32 AM

Purple firefish are an ok alternative, but the helfrichi's are much prettier in person, and they don't have that grumpy face purple firefish have.
My case of having both jump through 1/4 net is probably to the extreme of their jumping capability, but it was enough for me to not rush out and get another pair.
I believe the purple firefish are a little harder to pair up as well

Bent · 12/01/2015, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davocean

Purple firefish are an ok alternative, but the helfrichi's are much prettier in person, and they don't have that grumpy face purple firefish have.
My case of having both jump through 1/4 net is probably to the extreme of their jumping capability, but it was enough for me to not rush out and get another pair.
I believe the purple firefish are a little harder to pair up as well

I've never seen a helfrichi in person.

davocean · 12/01/2015, 10:50 AM

I think the colors are a little more glowy and they have a more peaceful look

Bent · 12/01/2015, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davocean

I think the colors are a little more glowy and they have a more peaceful look

Maybe I'll sell my red and try to grab one. I dunno, I like my red. He has a super long dorsal and he's very comfortable. Id hate to do that to him.

d2mini · 12/01/2015, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaybfresh

I would say rarity has more impact than price to drive the desire, though they go hand in hand

Same thing, and yes it goes hand in hand. If you walked into the store and saw the fish without knowing how rare or common, would the helfrichi be that much more desirable than the purple? That's all I'm saying. If it is, then by all means go for it.
It's like black tangs or gem tangs... i think there are much prettier and cheaper ones available. How rare it is makes no difference to me.

davocean · 12/01/2015, 10:58 AM

I actually could care less about the rarity as well, I mean my green chromis are still one of my favs.
I actually have a red firefish too, and I like the look of it more than a purple firefish.
The purples always have that angry looking eyebrow line, they look grumpy to me, like they want to ask me what I'm staring at or something!lol

Bent · 12/01/2015, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davocean

I actually could care less about the rarity as well, I mean my green chromis are still one of my favs.
I actually have a red firefish too, and I like the look of it more than a purple firefish.
The purples always have that angry looking eyebrow line, they look grumpy to me, like they want to ask me what I'm staring at or something!lol

11/30/2015, 06:27 PM	#1
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	Is a helfrichi firefish really worth the price? I've eyeballed these guys for a long time, but I've just never had the guts to pull the trigger on one. Are they really that cool? I've always went for the purple when I wanted something other than a red. Are they much prettier than the purples? __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

11/30/2015, 06:53 PM	#2
kmbyrnes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 2,055	If you like the fish, I say get one. After all, why are we doing this if not to have something we find beautiful to look at? My wife and I spend hours looking at fish online. Then I research the ones we want and see if they will fit somewhere. We don't mind spending money for something that makes looking at the tanks more enjoyable to watch. __________________ 125g Mixed Reef 5/26/2015; 350 Butterfly Dominated FOWLR 11/26/2015 - 11/17/20217 & 07/31/18 to ??? ; 100g Mixed Reef 11/16/2013 to 06/16/2017 Current Tank Info: Too small

11/30/2015, 07:05 PM	#3
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	They are cool; price is indicative of capture difficulty rather than rarity. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

11/30/2015, 07:11 PM	#4
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	They are awesome, and for the 12 hours I had mine very worth it, however both mine jumped the first night, and that was through 1/4" mesh top that was completely sealed inside perimeter of tank... __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

11/30/2015, 07:17 PM	#5
hogfanreefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 2,117	I actually like the N. exquisita even better and they are half the price of the helfrichi. Like Dave said they are about the worse jumpers I've ever kept. http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...83&pcatid=3483 __________________ DSA 155,Custom Trigger 42" sump/refugium, MP40 X2, MP 10 X 2, AI Hydra 52 X3, Apex controller, Tunze ATO Current Tank Info: DSA 155 gallon, mixed reef, SPS and wrasse dominant

11/30/2015, 07:36 PM	#6
SoloChromis Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 787	Personally, I consider them to be one of the best looking saltwater fish available, let alone of the firefish. One of my local fish shops has several in and they've all been there a while and eating well, but my tank isn't covered yet, so I'm not ready to pull the trigger. However, I have heard many people claiming to have worse luck with the Helfrich's than they have with other species, so we'll see how it goes. I've attempted keeping several firefish (N. magnifica) over the years and they've never stuck around for more than a couple weeks beofore vanishing into thin air, which is another reason I'm hesitating. __________________ 60g Macro Algae & Gorgonian Dominated Reef Cube & 20g (Peacock) Mantis Tank Current Tank Info: 60g Caribbean-esque Reef (2'x2'x2'), 10g Quarantine

11/30/2015, 07:40 PM	#7
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	They are a pretty fish but not for me. As someone else pointed out if you enjoy them then get one. After the holidays are over I am planning for a pair of Bellus angels, again not for everyone but I like them. Good luck __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

11/30/2015, 07:43 PM	#8
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	I'd rather have a $15 purple fire fish. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

11/30/2015, 07:56 PM	#9
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I pulled the trigger on one about 6 months ago. After a month in QT I put it in the DT. It hid for another month. The flame angel didn't help much with that. It's now out as soon as the lights come on and is out and about till the lights go out. One of my all time favorites. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

11/30/2015, 08:02 PM	#10
e048 Registered Member. Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 598	I used to have a pair in my 90 before i went to out of the country and had it crash on me Bought them as purple firefish from a stupid petco employee lulz They never jumped or even tried it heck I lost a long nose hawkfish and a coral beauty to jumping but never those two...

12/01/2015, 06:06 AM	#11
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	Not planning on getting one any time soon as I already have a N. Mag and I dont want to risk another species. Just curious as to other peoples experiences. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

12/01/2015, 06:22 AM	#12
Tweaked FUP&A Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Madison, CT Posts: 7,722	I've picked them up for $40 each here in CT. I was told the mark up is just really high and got them for near or at cost. Great fish and colors IMO __________________ DSA 105 Pro, Cebu Sun-Radiums-M80 Ballasts, 4 T5's, XHO LEDs. Through Wall 55g Sump, 10g Frag and 29g Display attached, Vertex V6, 3 mp40's, Gyre, 2 mp10's, GFO, Carbon, Pellets - 10g Bar Tank

12/01/2015, 07:02 AM	#13
toothybugs In Memoriam Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: The smallest county in Illinois Posts: 1,986	Helfrichis are one of my favorite fish. I am in a pinch while the wifey is in school for the next 6 months but I have every intention of putting one in my 75 after the upgrade. I had one once before and though you do need a screen, they are amazingly colorful little fish. So yes.

12/01/2015, 07:26 AM	#14
jaybfresh Pitcher Hill Reef Society Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 1,597	I was able to snag one for $45 during a local black Friday sale, before that I had been on the fence. However, I wouldn't spend $5 on a damsel. Cost is subjective. __________________ -J- Current Tank Info: 80g shallow mixed reef

12/01/2015, 09:57 AM	#16
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	I look at it like this... if I had no idea what the prices were on the different fish, would the helfrichis be that much more appealing than the purple? IMHO, no. But that's just me. It's just that sometimes, knowing the price going in makes the desire that much stronger. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

12/01/2015, 10:21 AM	#18
drauka99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: at the Beach in Fl Posts: 792	I've always been happy with a plain firefish or a purple firefish. I like that is seem to have gotten lucky with a pair of firefish this time that share a burrow, don't hide and seem to get along well. __________________ "Aliie, Eat a Snickers, you're "HANGRY" - me "I sometimes enjoy watching shadow puppet shows" - jpfelix "Bacon is Love." - Fat Man Current Tank Info: 240 Algae Farm System Running

12/01/2015, 10:32 AM	#19
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Purple firefish are an ok alternative, but the helfrichi's are much prettier in person, and they don't have that grumpy face purple firefish have. My case of having both jump through 1/4 net is probably to the extreme of their jumping capability, but it was enough for me to not rush out and get another pair. I believe the purple firefish are a little harder to pair up as well __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

12/01/2015, 10:50 AM	#21
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I think the colors are a little more glowy and they have a more peaceful look __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

12/01/2015, 10:58 AM	#24
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I actually could care less about the rarity as well, I mean my green chromis are still one of my favs. I actually have a red firefish too, and I like the look of it more than a purple firefish. The purples always have that angry looking eyebrow line, they look grumpy to me, like they want to ask me what I'm staring at or something!lol __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD