🐟 AquaticCare difficulty: IntermediateLegal complexity: Low
Six Line Wrasse
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia · also called Sixline Wrasse, Six-Stripe Wrasse, Pyjama Wrasse
A small, vividly striped reef wrasse with orange and electric-blue lines and a green tail spot. Hardy, active, and useful for controlling pest flatworms and bristleworms, but it can turn territorial as it matures.
Educational only. KinStation content is reviewed by licensed veterinarians but cannot replace an in-person exam. Always consult a licensed veterinarian or board-certified specialist for diagnosis, treatment, or any decision affecting your pet's health.
🩺 Need expert help with your six line wrasse?
Connect with a specialist near you or ask a licensed vet — never substitute online guidance for hands-on care in an emergency.
Quick facts
| Size | Reaches about 3 in (7.5 cm), occasionally to 4 in (10 cm). |
| Lifespan | 5–8 years |
| Social needs | solo |
| Native region | Indo-Pacific |
| Origin | Old World |
| Climate | 🌴 Tropical |
| Water type | 🌊 Marine |
| Family | Labridae |
| Genus | Pseudocheilinus |
Part of the Wrasses
Wrasses (family Labridae) are an enormous, diverse group of active, colorful reef fish ranging from tiny fairy and flasher wrasses to large predators. Many sand-diving species sleep buried in the substrate, most are accomplished jumpers, and several are prized for controlling pest invertebrates in reef aquariums.
Habitat & space requirements
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Habitat & enclosure
Provide a minimum of 30 gallons (55 gallons or more is better for reducing aggression) with abundant live rock arranged into a maze of caves, crevices, and tunnels. Six line wrasses are constantly weaving through rockwork hunting prey, and the more structure and hiding spaces the tank offers, the more relaxed and less territorial the fish tends to be. A secure lid is advised, as wrasses can jump.
Maintain stable tropical reef parameters: temperature 72-82 F (22-28 C), pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.026 specific gravity, and moderate flow. They are reef-safe with corals and clams and do best in a mature, established reef where natural microfauna supplements their diet.
Substrate
A reef tank with live rock is essential; substrate itself can be fine aragonite sand or bare-bottom, but the rockwork matters far more than the floor for this species. They burrow into rock crevices, not the sand, to sleep.
Equipment & setup
Marine setup with stable saltwater (SG ~1.024-1.026, 72-78F), a protein skimmer, strong biological filtration, and a tight-fitting lid since they are notorious jumpers. Provide abundant live rock with caves and crevices for hiding and sleeping.
Diet
Six line wrasses are carnivores that hunt small invertebrates among the rocks, including copepods, amphipods, pest flatworms, bristleworms, and pyramidellid snails, which makes them valued as natural pest controllers. In the aquarium they readily accept frozen mysis and brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and quality marine flakes and pellets. Feed one to two times daily.
A mature tank with live rock provides constant natural grazing between feedings. Varied, enriched foods keep the bright striping and active behavior in good condition. They are eager, fast feeders and rarely refuse food once settled.
Behavior & temperament
Six line wrasses are active, bold, and curious, darting energetically through the rockwork all day. While often listed as one of the more peaceful wrasses, individuals frequently become territorial and assertive as they mature, harassing smaller or timid tankmates such as gobies, dartfish, grammas, and other small wrasses, especially in tighter quarters. Introducing the wrasse last, after more docile fish are established, gives better results.
Keep only one per tank, as they are aggressive toward their own kind. They are not generally kept in pairs in typical home aquaria. Ample rockwork with many sightlines and retreats is the best enrichment and the best tool for diffusing aggression.
Health
Six line wrasses are hardy and tolerant once acclimated, but they are still vulnerable to common marine parasites such as ich and velvet, particularly after shipping. Quarantine new fish and maintain stable temperature and salinity. They appreciate a sandy or fine substrate, as some wrasses burrow or rest among rocks at night.
The most common keeper problem is not disease but behavior: a maturing six line wrasse can stress or injure peaceful tankmates, so plan the stocking order and provide enough space and cover. A varied diet, stable water quality, and a covered tank to prevent jumping keep these fish healthy for years.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Add them last to a reef community, as they can become territorial toward later additions; the dense rockwork breaks line-of-sight aggression. They earn their keep as a natural pest controller, picking off bristleworms, flatworms, and pyramidellid snails from corals.