Sixline soapfish
Grammistes sexlineatus
Also known as Goldenstriped soapfish, Skunkfish, Six-lined soapfish, Lined soapfish
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.0–8.4
- Adult size
- 11.8 in
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 180 gal
- 680 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Family
- Serranidae
- Origin
- Native to the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea to the western Pacific, hiding in reef caves and crevices during the day.
Overview
The sixline soapfish is a striped, cave-dwelling predator for a large saltwater tank. It is a fish for a keeper with some experience.
Did you know
The sixline soapfish takes its name from its toxin, grammistin. If one of these fish is stressed in a bucket or bag, the toxin froths up like soap suds.
Caring for the sixline soapfish
Keep a single sixline soapfish in at least 180 gal (680 L), with plenty of caves and ledges to hide in. Hold the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.0 to 8.4.
Some individuals take only live food at first. Wean them onto frozen shrimp and marine fish.
The sixline soapfish is mostly peaceful and leaves corals alone, so it is reef safe with caution. It will eat small fish, shrimp and crabs, so choose tank mates it cannot swallow. Avoid rough tank mates that might injure it and trigger a toxin release.
In a small, enclosed tank, a large release of its toxin can poison the other fish. Net it and handle it gently.
Good to know
The sixline soapfish, Grammistes sexlineatus, is a member of the family Serranidae. Its skin produces a bitter toxin called grammistin, which it can release into the water when badly stressed or injured. It is dark brown, crossed by pale yellow stripes that run as solid lines in juveniles and break into rows of dashes in adults.
In the wild
The sixline soapfish is native to the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to the western Pacific. This secretive, mostly nocturnal predator spends the day tucked into a reef cave or crevice and comes out to hunt at dusk. It looks harmless and moves slowly, but it is a capable ambush feeder.
Common questions
What size tank does a sixline soapfish need?
A sixline soapfish needs at least 180 gal (680 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a sixline soapfish need?
A sixline soapfish is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.0–8.4.
What does a sixline soapfish eat?
A sixline soapfish eats frozen shrimp and marine fish, though some take only live food at first. It will also eat small fish, shrimp and crabs in the tank.
How big does a sixline soapfish get?
An adult sixline soapfish reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
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