Six Line Wrasse
A small, vivid wrasse striped in orange and electric blue along the length of the body. Hardy, useful against pest flatworms, and increasingly bad-tempered as it matures.
Feeding
Carnivorous. Frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp and marine pellets. Also hunts small pests among the rockwork.
Compatibility
Reef safe but becomes territorial and aggressive with age, particularly toward other wrasses and small peaceful fish. Add last to a tank, not first.
Behaviour and personality
Fast, constantly darting through the rockwork and rarely still. Hunts pods and flatworms continuously.
Before you buy
Frequently recommended as a beginner reef fish and frequently regretted. A mature six line will harass firefish, gobies and other wrasses. It is genuine.
| Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Species | Six Line Wrasse |
| Size (adult) | Up to 4 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| Water Type | Saltwater |
| Reef Safe | Yes (with caveats) |
FAQ
Is the six line wrasse suitable for a beginner reef tank?
It is often recommended for beginners, but many find it regrettable as it becomes aggressive with age and may harass other small fish.
What should I feed my six line wrasse?
Feed frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, and marine pellets. It will also hunt small pests like flatworms in the rockwork.
How does the six line wrasse behave in a tank?
It is fast-moving and constantly darting through the rockwork. It is active and always hunting, especially as it matures.
Christian Randall –
Got this as a beginner fish, thought it would be great. It was colorful and active at first. After a few months, it started chasing my firefish and gobies. Not ideal for a small tank with peaceful species. Would not recommend for beginners who don’t have space or patience.
James Ball –
The colors are striking and it does help with flatworms. But once it grew, it became very aggressive. I had to move it to a larger tank with plenty of hiding spots. Not a good fit for a small reef setup.
Blake Mills –
Beautiful fish when young. I kept it in a 20-gallon tank with plenty of rockwork. It stayed calm initially and helped control flatworms. After 6 months, it started bullying other fish. Now I keep it alone in a larger tank.