All fish / Labridae

Four-line Wrasse

Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia

Also known as fourline wrasse, four line wrasse, four-lined wrasse, 4 line wrasse, fourstripe wrasse, ヨスジタマガシラ, 四线狭鳍隆头鱼, 四线拟唇鱼

A small, secretive reef wrasse with an orange-brown back marked by four bright blue lines and a lilac belly. Hobbyists keep it for its colour and for picking pests such as small bristleworms and flatworms off live rock in reef tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Keep singly

Diet

Carnivore: small crustaceans such as copepods and amphipods, plus frozen mysis, brine shrimp and fine meaty foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Central and western Pacific, including Hawaii, Micronesia and French Polynesia

Breeding

It spawns in pairs over the reef in the wild, with tiny pelagic eggs and larvae. Captive breeding is very rarely achieved in home aquariums.

Good to know

Despite its small size it can be very territorial and may bully shy fish such as gobies, dottybacks and other small wrasses, and it may eat ornamental shrimp. Use a tight-fitting lid because wrasses jump.