All fish / Labridae

Violetline Maori Wrasse

Cheilinus diagrammus

Also known as violet-lined maori wrasse, violet line maori wrasse, triple-tail maori wrasse, diagram wrasse, cheeklined maori wrasse, maori wrasse, ミツバモチノウオ, 双线唇鱼, 斜带唇鱼

This is a big, deep-bodied wrasse. It is mostly green to violet, with short purple-blue lines radiating from the eye across the cheek, and it can quickly turn darker or paler. Keepers like it because it is hardy and has plenty of character, which suits a large fish-only system.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

30 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

800 litres

Keep as

Keep singly

Diet

Carnivore: crustaceans, molluscs, small fish, frozen mysis, krill, chopped seafood

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Fiji, north to Ryukyus, south to New Caledonia

Breeding

Like other wrasses, it is a protogynous hermaphrodite and spawns in pairs, releasing floating eggs. It has not been bred in home aquariums.

Good to know

Adults grow to around 35 cm. They eat small fish, shrimps, crabs, snails and urchins, so they are not reef safe for invertebrates. Do not confuse this fish with the much larger humphead wrasse, Cheilinus undulatus, which is listed on CITES Appendix II.