Easy

Six Line Wrasse

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Pseudocheilinus hexataenia

Complete Six Line Wrasse care guide covering carnivore diet requirements, semi-aggressive temperament, minimum 30 Gallons tank setup, and compatible saltwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

Six Line Wrasse

Quick Answer

Six Line Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) is a small, active wrasse known for eating flatworms and other pests. It requires a minimum 30 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 8.1 - 8.4 and temperature range of 24-26°C. As a carnivore with semi-aggressive tendencies, careful tankmate selection is essential.

Intro

Six Line Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) is a small, active wrasse known for eating flatworms and other pests. Its six bright blue lines on an orange body are distinctive.

Setup

A 30-gallon or larger reef tank with a tight lid (jump risk). Live rock with many hiding spots. Open swimming areas.

Feeding

Carnivorous; eats small meaty foods: mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, copepods, and small pellets. Will also hunt small invertebrates.

Compatibility

Semi-aggressive; may harass new fish or small shrimp. Keep one per tank. Good with larger reef-safe fish. Avoid with shy or slow fish.

Fish Compatibility Calculator

Enter your details below for an instant recommendation.

Recommended Output

Pair status badge

--

Pair status desc

--

Temp pct val

--

Temp summary text

--

Ph pct val

--

Ph summary text

--

Space val

--

Space summary text

--

Layer emoji

--

Layer status text

--

Layer badge

--

Profile temp badge

--

Perfect list

--

Caution list

--

Incompatible list

--

Profile emoji

--

Profile name

--

Profile sci

--

Profile zone

--

Profile mintank

--

Profile temp

--

Profile ph

--

Profile note

--

Perfect count

--

Caution count

--

Incompatible count

--

Tank Position
Bottom/Middle
Water Temp
24-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
8.1 - 8.4

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Carnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Six Line Wrasses should be kept together?
Keep only one per aquarium, even in tanks over 100 gallons (378 liters). Six line wrasses (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) are active marine utility fish that become highly aggressive toward other wrasses or small passive tank mates. Two individuals in any size tank fight to severe injury and death. A single adult requires a minimum of 30 gallons (113 liters) with a footprint of 30x12 inches (75x30 cm) and ample live rock (1.5 lbs/gallon). Provide at least 5 crevices for sleeping. Avoid with other wrasses (especially fairy and flasher wrasses).
What are the exact marine water parameters for Six Line Wrasses?
Target pH 8.1 - 8.4, specific gravity 1.023 - 1.025 (35-35.5 ppt), General Hardness 7 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 8 - 12 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 32,000 - 35,000 ppm, and temperature 72°F - 78°F (22°C - 26°C). They provide excellent pest control in reef systems, actively hunting flatworms and pyramidellid snails. Maintain nitrates below 10 ppm with weekly 20% water changes. Use a protein skimmer and live rock. Provide a sand bed for sleeping (they burrow). Stable salinity is critical.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Six Line Wrasses?
They are carnivores that hunt live copepods on rocks, requiring 60% protein, 15% fat, 25% algae. Feed frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, chopped krill, and marine granules twice daily. Supplement with live copepods and baby brine shrimp. They eat flatworms, bristle worms, and small snails. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.15 mg/L Cupramine) but sensitive to hyposalinity below 1.018. Praziquantel is safe. Quarantine with chloroquine phosphate (15 mg/L) for 14 days. Avoid formalin.
How to breed Six Line Wrasses in captivity?
Breeding is extremely rare and requires large systems (200+ gallons). Condition a bonded pair (acquired as juveniles) with frozen mysis and enriched brine shrimp for 6 weeks. They are pelagic spawners; the pair rises at dusk and releases eggs. Female lays 500-1,000 eggs daily. Eggs hatch in 24-30 hours; larvae require rotifers and phytoplankton for 40-50 days. Metamorphosis occurs at 0.5 inches (1.2 cm). Not feasible for home aquariums due to specialized larval care and extended planktonic stage.