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Eight-line wrasse is the larger more aggressive cousin of the six-line wrasse - same striped body pattern but bigger (5") and significantly more territorial. Excellent biological control for pyramidellid snails, small flatworms, and bristleworms. Reef-safe with corals but aggressive toward most small fish.
Native range: Indo-Pacific. Wrasses (family Labridae) are one of the most diverse and successful fish families on coral reefs - approximately 600 described species worldwide, of which 40-60 are commonly available in the marine aquarium trade. The Eight-Line Wrasse is part of the Wrasse (Labridae) - Pseudocheilinus grouping, characterized by elongated body shape, terminal-phase sex change (most species), and active reef-grazing or pest-control behavior.
Tank size: 50 gallons. Sand substrate is non-negotiable for sand-sleeping wrasse genera (Halichoeres, Macropharyngodon, Anampses) - 2-3 inches of fine pool-filter sand minimum. Rockwork should provide multiple cave entrances and tight crevices the fish can wedge into for sleeping or escape. Lid: tight-fitting, gap-free. Wrasses are the second-most-common jumping casualties in reef tanks after gobies - a single 1cm gap is enough.
Flow: moderate to moderately strong is preferred by most wrasses - they evolved on current-swept reefs. Lighting: standard reef LED works for all wrasses; the fish itself does not require special spectrum.
Carnivore - mysis, brine, pellets, picks pests. Most wrasses have very high metabolic rates and need 2-3 feedings daily. Skipping feedings during business travel or vacations leads to rapid condition loss - schedule automatic feeders or vendor-trusted tank-sitters for extended absences.
Safe: Fish 3"+ that tolerate harassment.
Avoid: Small timid fish, other Pseudocheilinus, anything that will be intimidated.
Not captive bred. Most wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites - born female, transition to male as they reach social dominance in a group. Tank breeding of wrasses is rare due to the complex behaviors and pelagic egg-laying that resists captive replication.
Aggression toward smaller tank mates; jumping.
Eight-line wrasse is the larger more aggressive cousin of the six-line wrasse - same striped body pattern but bigger (5") and significantly more territorial. Excellent biological control for pyramidellid snails, small flatworms, and bristleworms. Reef-safe with corals but aggressive toward most small fish. Wrasses (family Labridae) are one of the most diverse and successful fish families on coral reefs - approximately 600 described species worldwide, of which 40-60 are commonly available in the marine aquarium trade.
The Eight-Line Wrasse needs a tank of at least 50 gallons. Sand substrate is non-negotiable for sand-sleeping wrasse genera (Halichoeres, Macropharyngodon, Anampses) - 2-3 inches of fine pool-filter sand minimum. Rockwork should provide multiple cave entrances and tight crevices the fish can wedge into for sleeping or escape. Wrasses are the second-most-common jumping casualties in reef tanks after gobies - a single 1cm gap is enough.
The Eight-Line Wrasse is rated intermediate difficulty on this care sheet. It needs a tank of at least 50 gallons, a temperature of 74-82°F and salinity of 1.024-1.026. Adults reach about 5" and live 5-8 years. Eight-line wrasse is the larger more aggressive cousin of the six-line wrasse - same striped body pattern but bigger (5") and significantly more territorial.
Carnivore - mysis, brine, pellets, picks pests. Most wrasses have very high metabolic rates and need 2-3 feedings daily. Skipping feedings during business travel or vacations leads to rapid condition loss - schedule automatic feeders or vendor-trusted tank-sitters for extended absences. Aggression toward smaller tank mates; jumping. Add eight-line LAST in a community tank to reduce territory establishment issues.
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