Six Line Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus Hexataenia)

Species Name : Pseudocheilinus Hexataenia

Care Level : Easy

Temperament : Semi-aggressive

Color : Purple, Blue, Green, Orange

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : Yes

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 3"

Origin : Indo-Pacific

Family : Labridae

Minimum Tank Size : 55 gallons

The Six Line Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus Hexataenia) is a species of marine ray-finned fish from the family Labridae which has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution. The Six Line Wrasse is both beautiful and active. 

These fish have beautiful colors and patterns. The Six Line Wrasse has a bluish-purple colored body with six neon orange horizontal lines. They also have a false eye by the caudal fin. The false eye confuses predators so they aim for that "eye" and it gives the butterfly a chance to get away. In shape, the body is very aerodynamic with exact curvature for quick and efficient travel.

Adults will grow to about 3-inches in total length, but they require open space for swimming. The Six Line Wrasse requires a minimum tank size of 55-gallons, for maximum health. It is also recommended to use a sand substrate as six line wrasses, like many other species of wrasse, will use the sandbed to hide if stressed. Provide an environment with a great deal of live rock so they can hide and scavenge.

There generally peaceful, the Six Line Wrasse may act aggressively towards peaceful Wrasses and other easily-intimidated fish, especially if inadequately fed or if its habitat is void of places in which it can hide. This wrasse is a great choice for reef aquariums because they will not bother corals/anemones.

Like many other species of wrasse, the six line wrasse is a protogynous hermaphrodite. This means that the individual fish are born as females and transition into males as they mature in response to internal and external factors.

In the home aquarium, the Six Line Wrasse requires a peaceful environment with a generous supply of hiding places and live rock on which they can forage for food. Here, the Six Line Wrasse will search for live foods in the form of small crustaceans such as pyramidellid snails (clam parasites), urchins, and commensal flatworms. The Six Line Wrasse is also known to feed on unwanted pests on live rock, such as bristleworms.This can be beneficial for hobbyists struggling with flatworm or nudibranch hitchhikers, like those commonly found on small polyp stony (SPS) corals. 

Six line wrasses are very opportunistic feeders. The Six Line Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.