Six-line wrasse

Care at a glance

The six-line wrasse is a small, strikingly striped fish that darts through the rockwork all day hunting small invertebrates. That behaviour makes it popular as a natural control for flatworms and the notorious red bugs that attack acropora.

Do expect it to grow bolder over the years. Many individuals start out peaceful and later start harassing new, timid residents — a firefish or a freshly added goby can have a hard time. So add it as one of the last fish in the tank and provide plenty of rockwork. It jumps, so a cover is necessary.

Good to know

• Territorial

Best not combined with

• Firefish gobyNemateleotris magnifica
• Lined seahorseHippocampus erectus

Related species

• Firefish gobyNemateleotris magnifica
• Royal grammaGramma loreto
• Banggai cardinalfishPterapogon kauderni
• Yellow tangZebrasoma flavescens
• Blue tangParacanthurus hepatus
• Mandarin dragonetSynchiropus splendidus