Description:
Six Line Wrasses can be found in the western Pacific from Japan to Samoa and Tonga and south to the Great Barrier Reef. This wrasse is both prized for its beauty and its penchant for feeding on pests like parasites, flatworms, and bristleworms. Decked out with six distinct, horizontal orange lines overlaid against a vibrant blue body and topped off with an orange face, this member of the Libradae family is stunning. These fish grow up to 3 inches long and require an aquarium of at least 30 gallons. While some wrasses need sand to burrow into for sleep, this species takes shelter in cavities where it creates a sticky, mucus cocoon in which to sleep during the night, it is thought that this cocoon helps protect it from nocturnal predators by masking the scent of the sleeping fish.
Diet:
Six Line wrasses are carnivores. They feed primarily on invertebrates and crustaceans in the wild, but will also eat brine shrimp, copepods, Mysis shrimp, pellets, krill, flake foods, and frozen meaty preparations.
Behavior:
As stated earlier, this fish can reach up to 3 inches and requires an aquarium of at least 30 gallons. They need room to swim. Like most other wrasses, the Six Line Wrasse is usually always on patrol, looking for food. It will scour the rocks and corals for pests and may pick at algae, while largely ignoring the other residents of the reef. The Six Line wrasse is a sequential hermaphrodite. That means they change sex depending on the social situation in their environment. All Six Line wrasses begin life as females. Without any other males around (or if they manage to become the dominant fish in a tank full of skittish fish), the wrasse will change sex to male. A male can never turn back into a female. Although the Six Line Wrasse is generally considered peaceful, it may act aggressively towards other wrasses and other smaller fish with similar body types. This is especially common if adequate food is lacking or if its environment is too small or overcrowded. Although certain species of wrasse can live together, it is not recommended to have more than one Six Line Wrasse in a tank unless they are a mated pair as they will most likely fight. The Six Line Wrasse is known to sometimes harass new tankmates. It is a good idea to add your Six Line Wrasse last. A vibrant, beautiful fish with a little attitude, the Six Line Wrasse is a bold addition to any reef. If you intend to keep fish - especially a wrasse, a netted lid is recommended.