Six-Line Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia)
The Six-Line Wrasse is a pint-sized powerhouse and a staple of the marine hobby. It is the "utility player" of the reef—affordable, incredibly hardy, and a tireless worker when it comes to pest control. However, it is also famous for its "Jekyll and Hyde" personality; while it is efficient and beautiful, it can become a surprisingly bold bully if it isn't managed correctly in a community setting.
Key Information
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Common Names: Six-Line Wrasse, Six-Striped Wrasse
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Scientific Name: Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
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Origin: Indo-Pacific (Red Sea to the Tuamotu Islands)
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Max Size: 7–8 cm (approx. 3 inches)
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Lifespan: 5–10 years
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Temperament: Semi-aggressive; can be territorial toward similar-sized fish
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Diet: Carnivore – Exceptional pest hunter
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Care Level: Very Easy
Appearance & Identification
The Six-Line is one of the most recognizable fish in the trade:
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The "Stripes": Features six horizontal, vibrant orange lines set against a deep blue-to-purple body.
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The "Eyes": Its eyes are particularly striking—red with two distinct white horizontal bars. They move independently, giving the fish a very "alert" and intelligent look.
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The Tail: A small, bright green-to-yellow tail fin often features a tiny black "eyespot" (ocellus) to confuse predators.
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The Mucus Cocoon: Like its cousin the Mystery Wrasse, it doesn't sleep in the sand. Instead, it creates a transparent mucus bubble in the rocks at night to hide its scent.
Behaviour: The "Reef Mechanic"
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Pest Control Specialist: This fish is often "hired" to handle biological problems. It is a ruthless predator of flatworms, pyramidellid snails (which attack clams), and bristle worms.
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The "Darter": It doesn't swim in open water much. Instead, it "darts" in and out of rockwork with extreme precision, hunting for tiny crustaceans.
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The Aggression Warning: In smaller tanks, a Six-Line can become a "terror." It may harass more peaceful fish like Firefish, Dragonets, or Fairy Wrasses.
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Reef Safe: 100% Reef Safe with corals. It is a perfect addition to a "working" reef, but be cautious with very small ornamental shrimp.
Ideal Tank Setup
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Tank Size: A minimum of 75L–115L (20–30 Gallons). While they are small, they are extremely active and need a lot of surface area to forage.
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Rockwork: Provide a complex labyrinth of live rock. The more holes and tunnels you have, the more you will see its natural hunting behavior.
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Lid is Mandatory: They are very "twitchy" swimmers and can easily jump out of the tank if startled.
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Feeding: They are "pigs" at feeding time. They will eat frozen mysis, brine shrimp, flakes, and pellets. However, they will also spend the entire day finding their own "natural" snacks in your rockwork.
Why Choose the Six-Line Wrasse?
The Six-Line is for the hobbyist who wants high-impact utility on a budget. It is one of the most resilient fish available and provides constant movement and color. If you have an established tank with a bit of a "bully" problem or a pest outbreak, the Six-Line is your best "enforcer."
