The six-lined pest-hunter that can turn bossy in a small tank.
Six-line Wrasses (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) are 3-4 inches (8-10 cm), slim with six horizontal blue lines over an orange body. They are popular for eating bristleworms and flatworms, but they are also known to become territorial and bully smaller, shy fish.
They are active, jump-prone, and need a covered tank with sand to sleep in (they bury at night). Best for fish-only or robust reef setups, not timid communities.
Six-line Wrasses live about 3-5 years with good marine care. A covered tank and stable water support that span.
What do Six-line Wrasses eat?
They are carnivores eating pests plus frozen/live foods like mysis and brine shrimp; many also take pellets. The mistake is underfeeding so they starve once pests are gone; supplement regularly.
Tank size and water parameters
A 30-gallon (115 L) tank suits one. Target 72-80°F (22-27°C), pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.020-1.025, ammonia/nitrite zero, nitrate under ~20 ppm. Provide a sand bed to sleep in and a tight lid.
Common mistakes with Six-line Wrasses
Key errors: timid tank mates they bully; an open tank (they jump); no sand bed to burrow at night; and underfeeding once tank pests are gone.
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