Six Line Wrasse

The Six Line Wrasse is a compact, brilliantly colored saltwater fish prized for its constant activity and bold personality. Its elongated body is patterned with six vivid blue horizontal lines over orange, pink, and purple tones, accented by green markings around the head and a distinctive false eyespot near the tail. Reaching about 4 inches at maximum adult size, it brings intense color and movement to both reef aquariums and fish-only marine systems.

Native to coral-rich habitats throughout the Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea, East Africa, and islands extending across the central Pacific, Pseudocheilinus hexataenia naturally spends much of its time weaving through coral branches and rocky crevices while hunting small crustaceans. In the aquarium, it displays the same inquisitive behavior, continuously inspecting live rock for small prey.

Although hardy and adaptable once established, this wrasse is best suited to aquariums where its territorial nature is taken into account. It can be an excellent reef aquarium fish when paired with appropriately assertive tankmates and provided with plenty of complex rockwork.

Quick Care Guide

Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Reef Safe: With Caution
Region: Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea, East Africa, and central Pacific islands
Scientific Name: Pseudocheilinus hexataenia

Tank Requirements

Provide a well-established marine aquarium with substantial live rock arranged into caves, tunnels, overhangs, and narrow hiding places. The Six Line Wrasse naturally moves through complex reef structure and will spend much of the day investigating rockwork for small organisms.

A 30-gallon aquarium is an appropriate minimum, although additional space and rockwork can be beneficial when housing the fish with other active or territorial species. Leave some unobstructed swimming room around the reef structure while maintaining numerous retreats.

A secure, tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is strongly recommended. Like many wrasses, this species is capable of jumping when startled or chased. It does not require a sand bed for sleeping and typically shelters within rockwork at night.

Diet and Feeding

The Six Line Wrasse is a carnivore that naturally consumes small crustaceans and other tiny reef organisms. A varied diet helps maintain strong coloration, body condition, and activity.

Offer foods such as frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped marine seafood, copepods, quality frozen carnivore blends, and appropriately sized marine pellets. Established specimens generally adapt readily to prepared foods.

Feed small portions once or twice daily. In mature reef aquariums, the fish will also spend considerable time picking through live rock for naturally occurring microfauna, but this should supplement rather than replace regular feeding.

Temperament and Tankmates

Despite its small size, the Six Line Wrasse can become territorial and assertive, particularly once established. It may chase peaceful fish, newly introduced specimens, or other wrasses that occupy similar areas of the aquarium.

It is generally best kept as a single Six Line Wrasse unless housed in a substantially larger system with carefully planned stocking. Avoid combining it with very timid or easily intimidated fish when possible.

Good tankmates typically include appropriately sized marine fish capable of handling its active personality. Introducing the Six Line Wrasse after more peaceful inhabitants are established can help reduce territorial problems.

Reef Compatibility

The Six Line Wrasse is generally safe with corals and is suitable for most reef aquariums. It does not normally consume coral tissue.

However, it should be considered reef safe with caution because its natural diet includes small crustaceans and other invertebrates. Very small ornamental shrimp and tiny mobile invertebrates may potentially be viewed as prey, especially as the wrasse matures.

Larger established ornamental shrimp, snails, clams, and corals are generally left alone, although individual 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 water quality is more important than attempting to maintain one exact number within these ranges. Provide consistent salinity, good oxygenation, and regular aquarium maintenance.

Common Considerations

• Territorial behavior: Established individuals can aggressively defend areas of rockwork and may harass peaceful or newly introduced fish.
• Jumping risk: A secure aquarium lid or mesh cover is strongly recommended.
• Wrasse compatibility: Use caution with other wrasses, particularly similarly shaped or smaller species.
• Rockwork is important: Complex live rock provides essential hiding areas and allows the fish to display its natural hunting behavior.
• Small-invertebrate predation: While generally coral-safe, very small crustaceans and other mobile invertebrates may occasionally be eaten.