Six-Line Wrasse care guide

Six-Line Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) — minimum tank 120 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 8-8.4.

Overview

The Six-line Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) is a small reef wrasse instantly recognised by six neat orange horizontal lines on a magenta-purple body, an emerald-green caudal region and bright blue eye-rings. It is a popular hardy beginner marine fish.

Taxonomy

Family: Labridae
Genus: Pseudocheilinus
Scientific name: Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
Common synonyms: Sixline Wrasse

Habitat

Occurs widely across the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Tuamotu Islands and northward to southern Japan. Inhabits clear lagoon and outer-reef slopes at depths of 2-35 metres, foraging among branching corals and live rock.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 120 L (31.7 US gal)
Adult size: 6-8 cm
Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
pH: 8-8.4
GH: 8-12 °dGH
Water flow: moderate
Lifespan: 4-6 years
Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-12

Diet

A microcarnivore that picks small benthic invertebrates — copepods, amphipods, isopods and worms — from rock and coral surfaces. In aquaria it accepts frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, marine pellets and quality flake; a healthy pod population on live rock supports natural foraging behaviour.

Compatibility

Reef-safe but assertive and territorial, particularly against other small wrasses or peaceful slow-moving fish. Add to the tank last, keep only one per system unless very large, and combine with similarly bold tank mates such as Royal Gramma, dwarf angels, tangs and clownfish; avoid fairy wrasses and other small Pseudocheilinus.

Reef compatibility

Reef-safe with caution. Does not harm corals but is a notable predator of pyramidellid snails and bristleworms (often considered beneficial) and may also eat ornamental Tridacna-pest snails as well as small ornamental shrimp.

Breeding

A protogynous hermaphrodite that spawns in the water column. Captive breeding has not been routinely achieved; almost all specimens in the trade are wild-collected.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species has an exceptionally broad Indo-Pacific range and is collected for the aquarium trade without documented population decline.