TankBud

Eightline wrasse

Pseudocheilinus octotaenia

Also known as Eight-Line Wrasse, Eightstripe Wrasse, Eight Lined Wrasse

SaltwaterFish

Eightline wrasse (Pseudocheilinus octotaenia)
cello caruso-turiello · CC BY 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
55 gal
208 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Own kind
One per tank
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Labridae
Origin
Indo-Pacific reefs, from East Africa to Hawaii and the Ducie Islands, north to the Yaeyama Islands

Overview

The eightline wrasse is a small, territorial reef wrasse that patrols the rockwork near the bottom of the tank. It suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

Hobbyists who know the easygoing sixline wrasse often assume its eight-striped cousin will act the same way. They are surprised when the eightline turns out to be one of the scrappiest small wrasses they can put in a tank.

Caring for the eightline wrasse

Give the eightline wrasse at least 55 gal (208 L), with enough broken rock and rubble to give it a network of hiding spots. It retreats into them between forays. Keep the lid tight, since this species will jump given the chance.

Keep the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Feed a varied diet of mysis, brine shrimp and marine pellet or flake several times a day.

The eightline wrasse is one of the more aggressive small wrasses in the trade. It is quick to claim a territory and pick fights with other wrasses. Keep it singly, and add it after any other wrasses have settled in.

It is generally considered reef safe, and it leaves corals alone while it hunts flatworms, bristleworms and pyramidellid snails. It will also eat small ornamental shrimp, crabs and snails it decides are prey, so factor that in when you plan a cleanup crew.

Good to know

Pseudocheilinus octotaenia is a protogynous hermaphrodite and a close relative of the smaller sixline wrasse. It is named for the eight thin red to reddish brown stripes that run down its orange body. Its red eyes are rimmed in pale blue. It can live 5 to 7 years in captivity, a solid lifespan for a small reef wrasse.

In the wild

The eightline wrasse is widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to Hawaii and the Ducie Islands, and north to the Yaeyama Islands. It hides among coral branches and rubble on reefs at 2 to 50 m, rather than staying out in the open.

Common questions

What size tank does an eightline wrasse need?

An eightline wrasse needs at least 55 gal (208 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an eightline wrasse need?

An eightline wrasse is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does an eightline wrasse eat?

An eightline wrasse eats a varied diet of mysis, brine shrimp and marine pellet or flake, several times a day. It also hunts flatworms, bristleworms and pyramidellid snails.

How big does an eightline wrasse get?

An adult eightline wrasse reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

Related species