Sixline Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia)

Sixline Wrasse Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
Name	Sixline Wrasse
Name Lat.	Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
Family	Wrasses
Family lat.	Labridae
Order	Wrasses & Relatives
Order lat.	Labriformes
Origin	Indo-Pacific
Habitat	Seaward reefs, lagoons
Diet	Planktivore
pH	8.1-8.4
Hardness	8-10 °KH
Behavior	Semi-aggressive
Keeping	Pair, group
Reef Compatible	Yes
Care Level	Moderate
Life Span	2-3 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	10 cm
Temperature	22-28 °C
Salinity	33-36 ‰
Aquarium	~ 250 l
US Units
Size	4"
Temperature	72-82 °F
Salinity	1.020-1.025 sg
Aquarium	~ 65 gal

Distribution and habitat

Pseudocheilinus hexataenia have a wide range, extending from the Red Sea throughout the tropical Indian to the central Pacific. They live mostly in small groups in the protection of large coral blocks on outer reefs and in clear lagoons down to 20 m depth.

Maintenance

They need a well-structured aquarium with plenty of swimming space and a reef structure (hiding, resting and retreat possibilities) with living stones that act like a biological filter as well as free sand areas (no coral rubble!) for burrowing

Only lime-rich, heavy metal-free substrates may be used as substrate. Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. Lighting must match the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals

Salinity: 33-36 ‰	pH value: 8.1-8.4
Carbonate hardness: 8-10 °KH	Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l
phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l	nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l

For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention must be paid to constantly good water quality.

Diet

In nature they feed mainly on zooplankton. The feed change usually succeeds without problems. The food supply should consist of a combination of small mysis, artemia and cyclops. In addition, chopped shrimp and crab meat as well as a frozen food mixture enriched with vitamins for plankton eaters. High-quality flake and granulated food is also often accepted after an acclimation period

It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. This also reduces intra-species aggression and protects lower animals in the aquarium. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

It is recommended to keep them in a group of at least 5 animals, which should be placed in the aquarium at the same time. Intra-species aggressiveness usually occurs only when there is a lack of space and food. Towards other peaceful wrasses they behave occasionally aggressive, towards all others peaceful.

Sex dimorphism

They are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning that most males develop from functional females and are called "secondary males". "Primary males" are born as males. Unlike other wrasses, they show little color change as they develop. External sexual characteristics are not known.

Reproduction and breeding

There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.

Important

They also eat parasitic micro snails (Pyramidellidae), planarians and bristle worms and prevent their uncontrolled reproduction

Overnight and when threatened, they bury themselves in the sandy substrate

As coral reef dwellers, they should not be maintained in a fish-only aquarium.

If different species are kept together, care should be taken to match the fish in terms of water quality and temperature requirements and social behavior, and to ensure that the setup meets the needs of all species kept together. New fish to be introduced must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: KUITER, DEBELIUS (2007): Atlas der Meeresfische: Die Fische an den Küsten der Weltmeere, Kosmos Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF