Blue Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus cyaneus) Care Guide
Paracheilinus cyaneus is a marine flasher wrasse from Indonesia, where displaying males show an intense turquoise hue over the head and back.
Overview
Paracheilinus cyaneus is a reef-associated wrasse of the family Labridae. FishBase records it from Indonesia in the Western Central Pacific. During the climax of courtship, males show a strong turquoise hue over the head, anterior body and back, extending onto the dorsal fin.
Taxonomy
- Family: Labridae
- Genus: Paracheilinus
- Scientific name: Paracheilinus cyaneus
Habitat
FishBase records the species from Indonesia, in sheltered reefs with mixed low corals and algae-rubble, at depths of 6-20 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
FishBase reports that it lives in small mixed-sex groups in which females substantially outnumber males. It is a peaceful, reef-safe species best kept away from aggressive damselfishes.
Breeding
FishBase reports the species is oviparous with distinct pairing during breeding. Displaying males intensify their turquoise coloration during courtship.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 25 March 2009), as reported by FishBase. The species shows high resilience and low fishing vulnerability.