Six Line Wrasse

Overview

The Six Line Wrasse is a small, vividly striped fish with orange-and-blue horizontal lines running along a purple-blue body, one of the most popular and widely available small wrasses in the hobby. It's a hardy, easy-to-keep species that also provides useful pest control by hunting small nuisance invertebrates such as pest flatworms and bristleworms.

Despite its small size, it can be surprisingly bold and occasionally aggressive toward other small, similarly shaped fish added after it, so introduction order matters more than its cute appearance might suggest.

Its compact size, striking colour, and pest-hunting usefulness make it a popular choice for nano to medium reef tanks, though its temperament should be considered when planning tankmates.

Compatibility

Six Line Wrasses can be semi-aggressive, particularly toward small, similarly shaped fish such as small gobies, blennies, or other small wrasses introduced after it. They're best added later in the stocking order or with larger, more robust tankmates that won't be intimidated.

They are fully reef safe and won't bother corals, clams, or invertebrates, aside from hunting small nuisance pests.

Health & quarantine

This is a hardy, adaptable species with few chronic health issues, generally acclimating and feeding well without major complications. A standard quarantine period of two to four weeks is recommended, and like most wrasses it's a capable jumper, so a secure lid is important.