Eight Lined Wrasse – Pseudocheilinus octotaenia

Species Name: Pseudocheilinus octotaenia

Common Names: Eight Lined Wrasse

Family: Labridae

Order: Perciformes

Class: Actinopterygii

Max. Size: 3-5 inches

Coloration: Generally 8 horizontal black lines running from head to tail along a red body. The dorsal anal and tail fins also show yellow markings. Body may also be yellowish to orange coloration.

Environment: Marine Reef Ecosystem 10-100 feet

Origin: IndoPacific, Southeast Asia and Eastern Africa

Temperament: Moderately aggressive

Company: This species of wrasse is generally not to tolerant of tank mates and may become aggressive towards them. It will readily eat shrimp in the tank and chase fish that are same size. For this reason it should be housed with larger and same or more aggressive fish species. Not be kept with predatory species like lionfish, surgeonfish, or groupers.

Aquarium Setup: Tank should be 55 gallons or more to house this species. A well established tank with live rock and live sand should be used. Provide plenty of sand as wrasses bury themselves when resting.Temperature 74-80° F, sg 1.020-1.025 and a pH of 8.1-8.4. If housed with other species a bigger tank should be used. The eight lined wrasse should commonly be the last fish in the tank.

Food: Mixed carnivorous diet. Commonly consumes brine shrimp, live black worms, frozen mysis shrimp, and pellets. Will consume smaller fish and shrimp as well. The wrasse will pick food off of the live rocks in your tank also. Crustaceans are a large part of a nutritious diet for the wrasse.

Breeding: Not bred in captivity.