Six-line wrasse
A small, secretive wrasse with six orange stripes and a mucus cocoon.
The six-line wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) is a small marine fish in the wrasse family, found across a broad Indo-Pacific range and closely tied to coral reefs. It reaches a maximum length of about 10 centimeters. Its body is violet, marked with six orange stripes along the sides, and it has a small eyespot on the upper part of the tail fin base, a blue stripe along the anal fin base, a blue streak on the pelvic fins, and red eyes. First described in 1857 by Dutch ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker as *Cheilinus hexataenia*, with the type locality of Ambon in the Moluccas, it later became the type species for the genus *Pseudocheilinus* when Bleeker established that genus in 1862. This species ranges from the eastern coast of Africa—from the Red Sea down to South Africa—across the Indian Ocean and into the western Pacific, north to Japan, south to northern Australia, and east to Tuamotu. It lives among coral branches on seaward reefs, in clear coastal waters, and on reef crests or slopes in shallow water, recorded to depths of about 20 meters. Shy and secretive, it typically moves in small, loose groups among coral branches for protection. Its diet consists mainly of small crustaceans, and it has been observed acting as a cleaner fish, removing ectoparasites like copepods and isopods from other fish. In Japan’s Izu Islands, spawning occurs just before sunset, with paired adults making a quick dash to the surface to release eggs, reducing predation risk. Diurnal, it sleeps at night inside cavities within a mucus cocoon, thought to mask its scent from nocturnal predators. The six-line wrasse is popular in the aquarium trade, though it has not been bred in captivity. In parts of Thailand, Sea Gypsies collect it for food.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The six-line wrasse is violet in color with six orange stripes along the flanks, a small eyespot on the dorsal part of the base of the caudal fin, a blue stripe along the base of the anal fin, a blue streak on the pelvic fin, and red eyes. It attains a maximum total length of 10 centimeters. Its range extends from the eastern coast of Africa, including the Red Sea and South Africa, across the Indian Ocean and into the Western Pacific, reaching north to Japan, south to northern Australia, and east to Tuamotu. It occurs among the branches of corals on seaward reefs, in clear coastal waters, and in areas of dense coral growth on reef crests or slopes, recorded to depths of about 20 meters. This is a secretive and shy species normally encountered in small, loose groups swimming among coral branches for protection. It feeds mainly on small crustaceans and has been recorded acting as a cleaner fish, removing ectoparasites from other fishes. It is diurnal and takes shelter in cavities, creating a mucus cocoon in which to sleep at night, thought to mask its scent from nocturnal predators. In the Izu Islands of Japan, spawning takes place just before sunset, with paired adults making a very quick dash toward the surface to spawn; the speed of this dash reduces predation risk.
Reader's Guide
The six-line wrasse is a small, secretive reef fish that inhabits coral-rich environments from the Red Sea to the Pacific. It is typically found in small, loose groups swimming among coral branches for protection, and it feeds on small crustaceans. Notably, it also acts as a cleaner fish, removing ectoparasites such as copepods and isopods from other fishes. This species is diurnal and at night creates a mucus cocoon in cavities to sleep, which is thought to mask its scent from nocturnal predators. In the aquarium trade, it is a popular species, though it has not been bred in captivity. In some parts of Thailand, it is collected as food by Sea Gypsies. Its reproductive behavior has been observed in the Izu Islands of Japan, where spawning occurs just before sunset; paired adults perform a rapid dash toward the surface to spawn, reducing the risk of predation. The species is associated with coral reefs and is found in clear coastal waters and on reef crests and slopes to depths of about 20 meters.
Did You Know?
- The six-line wrasse creates a mucus cocoon to sleep in at night, thought to mask its scent from predators.
- Spawning in the Izu Islands of Japan occurs just before sunset with a quick dash to the surface.
- This species has not been bred in captivity despite being popular in the aquarium trade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Six-line wrasse?
The Six-line wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) is a small, vividly colored member of the wrasse family (Labridae) native to coral reefs across the Indo-Pacific. It is instantly recognizable by its violet body, six orange lateral stripes, red eyes, and a small eyespot near the upper tail-fin base.
What is the Six-line wrasse's role in a reef tank?
In a community reef setup it acts as a natural cleaner, picking ectoparasites off the bodies of neighboring fish while also grazing on tiny crustaceans. Its small, peaceful temperament makes it a popular addition to mixed-species displays where larger wrasses would be too aggressive.
How big does the Six-line wrasse get?
Adults top out at roughly 10 centimeters (about 3.9 inches) in total length, making it one of the smaller wrasse species available to hobbyists. That compact size suits nano and mid-size reef tanks where bigger Labridae would quickly outgrow the space.
Where does the Six-line wrasse come from?
Its native range stretches from the eastern African coast through the Indian Ocean and across the western Pacific, reaching as far north as Japan and as far south as northern Australia. In the wild it hangs among coral branches on seaward reef slopes in clear water, typically down to about 20 meters.
Why is the Six-line wrasse a favorite among reef keepers?
Its combination of a tiny adult size, peaceful behavior, and striking violet-and-orange coloration makes it an eye-catching yet low-maintenance pick for display tanks. Because it also functions as a cleaner fish, hobbyists get both visual appeal and a practical service from a single small species.
More in Wrasses
Elsewhere in Reef Aquarium Species
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced