Pyjama Wrasse - Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
Pyjama Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia)
The Pyjama Wrasse, Pseudocheilinus hexataenia, is a small, colourful and active marine wrasse with a purple-blue body, six fine orange horizontal stripes, red eyes and a distinctive false eyespot near the tail. More commonly known as the Six Line Wrasse or Sixstripe Wrasse, this Indo-Pacific species is popular in reef aquariums for its striking pattern, pest-hunting behaviour and constant movement through live rock. It is hardy and reef safe with corals, but can become territorial, so it is best suited to mature aquariums with careful tank mate selection.
Common Name:
Pyjama Wrasse, Six Line Wrasse, Sixline Wrasse, Sixstripe Wrasse, Six-striped Wrasse, Six-banded Wrasse.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
Maximum Size:
Up to around 10 cm, though many aquarium specimens are closer to 7–8 cm.
Water Type:
Marine
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa across the Indian Ocean and western Pacific to the Tuamotu Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to Lord Howe Island and the Austral Islands. Naturally found in clear coastal waters, dense coral habitats, shallow reef crests, slopes and seaward reefs, where it swims among coral branches and rockwork for cover.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025
Temperament:
Semi-aggressive. Juveniles and newly introduced specimens may appear shy, but established adults can become territorial, especially in smaller aquariums or towards new, timid, similarly shaped or smaller fish. It is best kept with confident reef-safe tank mates and added with care to peaceful communities.
Diet:
Carnivorous micro-predator. In the wild, it feeds mainly on small crustaceans and other tiny invertebrates. In the aquarium, offer frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, copepods, cyclops, finely chopped krill, quality marine pellets and other small meaty foods. It may help reduce some nuisance flatworms, small bristle worms, pyramid snails and other tiny pests, but it should not be relied upon as a guaranteed pest-control solution.
Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 200 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for community reef systems. Provide mature live rock, caves, crevices and multiple visual barriers.
Behaviour & Activity:
An active daytime wrasse that spends much of its time darting in and out of rockwork, inspecting crevices, coral branches and reef surfaces for small prey. It does not need a sand bed for sleeping like some wrasses; instead, it usually retreats into rockwork and may sleep within a protective mucus cocoon. Once settled, it can become bold and highly territorial around its chosen area. A secure lid is recommended, as wrasses may jump when startled.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe with Caution
Generally safe with corals and most sessile invertebrates, and it is not a coral nipper. The caution is due to temperament and feeding behaviour: it may eat small worms, tiny crustaceans, pods, flatworms, pyramid snails, very small ornamental shrimps or other small mobile invertebrates. It may also harass shy fish in smaller aquariums.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept as a single specimen unless the aquarium is very large and carefully planned. Avoid housing with timid firefish, small dartfish, delicate fairy wrasses or newly introduced peaceful fish in confined systems. Provide plenty of live rock and hiding places to support natural foraging and reduce aggression. Add cautiously to established communities, as removing a territorial Six Line Wrasse can be difficult once it is settled. Do not confuse with the larger and often more aggressive Eightline Wrasse, Pseudocheilinus octotaenia.
Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Common in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
Original: $33.63
-65%$33.63
$11.77
Description
Pyjama Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia)
The Pyjama Wrasse, Pseudocheilinus hexataenia, is a small, colourful and active marine wrasse with a purple-blue body, six fine orange horizontal stripes, red eyes and a distinctive false eyespot near the tail. More commonly known as the Six Line Wrasse or Sixstripe Wrasse, this Indo-Pacific species is popular in reef aquariums for its striking pattern, pest-hunting behaviour and constant movement through live rock. It is hardy and reef safe with corals, but can become territorial, so it is best suited to mature aquariums with careful tank mate selection.
Common Name:
Pyjama Wrasse, Six Line Wrasse, Sixline Wrasse, Sixstripe Wrasse, Six-striped Wrasse, Six-banded Wrasse.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
Maximum Size:
Up to around 10 cm, though many aquarium specimens are closer to 7–8 cm.
Water Type:
Marine
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa across the Indian Ocean and western Pacific to the Tuamotu Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to Lord Howe Island and the Austral Islands. Naturally found in clear coastal waters, dense coral habitats, shallow reef crests, slopes and seaward reefs, where it swims among coral branches and rockwork for cover.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025
Temperament:
Semi-aggressive. Juveniles and newly introduced specimens may appear shy, but established adults can become territorial, especially in smaller aquariums or towards new, timid, similarly shaped or smaller fish. It is best kept with confident reef-safe tank mates and added with care to peaceful communities.
Diet:
Carnivorous micro-predator. In the wild, it feeds mainly on small crustaceans and other tiny invertebrates. In the aquarium, offer frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, copepods, cyclops, finely chopped krill, quality marine pellets and other small meaty foods. It may help reduce some nuisance flatworms, small bristle worms, pyramid snails and other tiny pests, but it should not be relied upon as a guaranteed pest-control solution.
Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 200 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for community reef systems. Provide mature live rock, caves, crevices and multiple visual barriers.
Behaviour & Activity:
An active daytime wrasse that spends much of its time darting in and out of rockwork, inspecting crevices, coral branches and reef surfaces for small prey. It does not need a sand bed for sleeping like some wrasses; instead, it usually retreats into rockwork and may sleep within a protective mucus cocoon. Once settled, it can become bold and highly territorial around its chosen area. A secure lid is recommended, as wrasses may jump when startled.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe with Caution
Generally safe with corals and most sessile invertebrates, and it is not a coral nipper. The caution is due to temperament and feeding behaviour: it may eat small worms, tiny crustaceans, pods, flatworms, pyramid snails, very small ornamental shrimps or other small mobile invertebrates. It may also harass shy fish in smaller aquariums.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept as a single specimen unless the aquarium is very large and carefully planned. Avoid housing with timid firefish, small dartfish, delicate fairy wrasses or newly introduced peaceful fish in confined systems. Provide plenty of live rock and hiding places to support natural foraging and reduce aggression. Add cautiously to established communities, as removing a territorial Six Line Wrasse can be difficult once it is settled. Do not confuse with the larger and often more aggressive Eightline Wrasse, Pseudocheilinus octotaenia.
Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Common in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
