All fish / Labridae

Eightline Wrasse

Pseudocheilinus octotaenia

Also known as eight line wrasse, eight-lined wrasse, 8 line wrasse, eightstripe wrasse, eight stripe wrasse, ヤスジニセモチノウオ, 八线拟唇鱼, 八线狐

A slender orange to pinkish wrasse marked with eight thin purple or reddish lines running along its body, with yellow speckles on the head. Reefkeepers like it because it is hardy, colourful and hunts pests such as bristleworms, small snails and flatworms among the rockwork.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Keep singly; one per tank

Diet

Carnivore: small crustaceans, mysis and brine shrimp, chopped seafood and quality pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii and the Tuamotus

Breeding

A protogynous hermaphrodite that spawns in pairs, scattering pelagic eggs in open water. It is very rarely bred in home aquariums because the tiny larvae need specialised rearing.

Good to know

It becomes bold and aggressive as it grows, often harassing smaller or more timid fish and other small wrasses, so add it last to a tank of robust tankmates. It may also pick at small ornamental shrimps and needs a tight lid as it can jump.