Bell's Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus bellae) Care Guide
Paracheilinus bellae is a small marine flasher wrasse recorded from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, found among algal beds of deep lagoons.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Paracheilinus bellae is a small reef-associated wrasse of the family Labridae. FishBase records it from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, in the Western Central Pacific. Males develop elongate dorsal and caudal fin lobes and bright coloration that females and juveniles lack.
Taxonomy
- Family: Labridae
- Genus: Paracheilinus
- Scientific name: Paracheilinus bellae
Habitat
FishBase records the species from Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, where it lives among dense algal beds of deep lagoons at depths of 18-31 metres.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- dKH: 8-12
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
Diet
The species is carnivorous, with a FishBase trophic level of 3.4. Like other flasher wrasses it feeds on small planktonic and benthic invertebrates.
Compatibility
Bell's flasher wrasse is a peaceful, reef-safe, mid-water species. It is best kept with other non-aggressive reef fish and away from aggressive damselfishes.
Breeding
FishBase reports the species is oviparous with distinct pairing during breeding. Females and juveniles lack the elongate fins and bright coloration of display males.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 25 March 2009), as reported by FishBase.
Bell's Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus bellae): Breeding Notes
Overview
Paracheilinus bellae is a flasher wrasse of the family Labridae. FishBase records it as a deepwater, reef-associated species from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, found among dense algal beds of deep lagoons at depths of about 18 to 31 metres and reaching roughly 6.5 cm. Reef Builders describes it as a rare deepwater species seldom seen in the aquarium trade.
Sexing
Sexual dimorphism is pronounced. According to FishBase, females and juveniles lack the elongated dorsal and caudal fin lobes and the electric colours that males develop. Dominant males show extended fin rays and intense nuptial colouration, while females stay smaller and plainer.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Flasher wrasses are named for the male's flashing courtship display. As described by Reef Builders, males intensify iridescent colours and race past females, a display best seen about an hour before sunset. Spawning occurs in mixed-sex groups in which females greatly outnumber males, and pairs rise into the water column to release eggs and milt.
Egg & Fry Care
The eggs are pelagic and drift in open water, and the larvae have a long planktonic phase. No documented protocol exists for rearing Paracheilinus bellae larvae through this stage in captivity, so aquarium stock is collected from the wild.
Common Challenges
The barriers are biological: the dusk flashing display needs space and an established harem, fertilised eggs scatter into the water column rather than onto a substrate, and the tiny planktonic larvae require live foods of a size and density that home systems rarely sustain.