Scarlet Pin Stripe Wrasse

The Scarlet Pin Stripe Wrasse, Pseudocheilinus evanidus, is a compact yet vividly colored saltwater fish distinguished by its deep scarlet to reddish-maroon body covered in numerous fine horizontal pinstripes. A pale blue to violet marking beneath the eye and lighter coloration around the mouth add contrast to its streamlined profile. Also known as the Striated or Secretive Wrasse, it often moves quickly between caves and crevices, giving the aquarium flashes of intense red coloration.

Native across a broad portion of the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa eastward through the central Pacific, this species inhabits coral-rich seaward reefs and rubble areas where it typically lives alone and searches reef structure for small crustaceans and other invertebrate prey. Its manageable adult size, active foraging behavior, and coral-safe nature make it an appealing marine aquarium fish for established reef aquariums, although its territorial personality and interest in very small invertebrates require some consideration.

Quick Care Guide

Care Level: Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Reef Safe: With Caution
Region: Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea, East Africa, and central Pacific
Scientific Name: Pseudocheilinus evanidus

Tank Requirements

The Scarlet Pin Stripe Wrasse should be maintained in an established marine aquarium with abundant live rock, caves, overhangs, and narrow crevices. Although adults reach only around 3–3.5 inches, a 55-gallon or larger aquarium provides sufficient territory and helps reduce aggression toward other small reef fish.

Complex rockwork is particularly important because this species naturally spends considerable time moving through reef structure while hunting for food. Multiple hiding areas allow the fish to retreat when startled and establish a secure territory.

Unlike sand-burying wrasses, Pseudocheilinus evanidus normally shelters within rockwork and does not require a deep sand bed.

Moderate water movement, good oxygenation, efficient filtration, and stable water quality are ideal. A tightly fitted aquarium cover is strongly recommended because wrasses can jump through surprisingly small openings.

Diet and Feeding

The Scarlet Pin Stripe Wrasse is a carnivore that naturally searches reef structure for small crustaceans, worms, and other tiny invertebrates.

Offer a varied diet including mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped shrimp or clam, quality frozen carnivore blends, and appropriately sized marine pellets. Established live rock provides additional opportunities to hunt naturally occurring microfauna throughout the day.

Two smaller meals per day are generally appropriate, with additional natural foraging occurring between prepared feedings.

Temperament and Tankmates

The Scarlet Pin Stripe Wrasse is semi-aggressive and can become territorial once established. Although often secretive when first introduced, confident specimens may become assertive toward smaller wrasses and other fish occupying similar areas of the rockwork.

Suitable tankmates include clownfish, gobies, blennies, cardinalfish, anthias, dwarf angelfish, tangs, and other appropriately sized marine community fish that are not excessively timid.

Particular caution is recommended with other Pseudocheilinus wrasses and similarly shaped small wrasses. Keeping a single Scarlet Pin Stripe Wrasse is the most predictable arrangement for most home aquariums.

Reef Compatibility

The Scarlet Pin Stripe Wrasse is reef safe with caution. It does not normally damage healthy corals and can be maintained successfully in coral-dominated reef aquariums.

Its natural diet includes small crustaceans, worms, and other reef invertebrates, so very small ornamental shrimp, tiny crustaceans, worms, and similar animals may be investigated or eaten. It may also consume naturally occurring organisms such as small flatworms and certain tiny snails.

Larger established ornamental shrimp, snails, and other reef inhabitants are generally at lower risk, but individual predatory behavior can vary.

Water Parameters

Temperature: 75–80°F
Specific Gravity: 1.024–1.026
pH: 8.1–8.4
Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

Stable conditions are more important than chasing exact numbers. Maintain consistent salinity and temperature along with good oxygenation, dependable biological filtration, and regular aquarium maintenance.

Common Considerations

• Territorial personality: Established specimens may become assertive toward other small wrasses and similarly shaped fish.

• Rockwork is essential: Numerous caves and crevices provide both secure shelter and natural hunting territory.

• No deep sand bed required: This species normally rests within reef structure rather than burying itself in sand.

• Jumping risk: A tightly fitted aquarium cover is strongly recommended, including around plumbing and equipment openings.

• Small invertebrate predator: Corals are generally safe, but tiny crustaceans, worms, and other small reef animals may be consumed.