6-line wrasse behavior

[reefworm]

Advance planning at this point:
pair of percula in the QT, planning to add a Gramma loreto afterwards. Currently a cleanup crew consisting of skunk cleaner shrimp and mix of cerith and nassarius snails. This in a 29 gal with sump of about 10 gal. plans also call for mixed reef.

Research thus far seems to say that a 6-line wrasse should do ok in such a setting [understanding a 29 gal is the bottom end of volume for these fish], with the possible liabilities of picking on the shrimp - although this one is pretty large - and possibly the snails. some questions about compatibility with the gramma. planning on eggcrate or mesh for the top to deal with jumping behavior. Then I stumbled across another site that said a 6-line will destroy reef corals and harrass all other fish to the point of death. Honestly the article made it sound like a damsel on steroids! Am I reading one person's horror story becoming a one-case induction about all six-lines or have others of you had similar experiences? I'd appreciate any input, advice, cautions, etc.
Thanks!

 

[Jerry W]

I've had three sixlines, only one of which would be considered a good tankmate. The other two have been tyrants. Killing a larger flasher wrasse and a sankey's dottyback, both of which were established before the sixline. This was in my 120. Personally, I think the clowns would be okay, but IMO the gramma would be the eventual victim of aggression. These little wrasses have major attitude once they grow a bit and get established. Mine squared off with large damsels and even with my clowns on occassion. I think the size of your tank is not going to provide enough real estate for the sixline to mind it's own business.

 

[millertime4569]

Six line wrasses are generally peaceful fish however then can be teritorial in a small aquarium. Great fish for eating flatworms and very active! I have never had one destroy corals or jump out of the tank.

 

[singold]

My favorite fish, gets along with all other fish & Cleaner Shrimp. Great inhabitant in tank, IMO.

 

[snorvich]

They do jump. And they can be highly aggressive especially in a smaller aquarium.

 

[Gwynhidwy]

I think what you read is pretty much worst case scenario. I have one tank with a sixline in it and he has been great so far. This is not my first sixline and I have not had problems with them being aggressive in the past. I really like sixlines, mine have been active, adequately peaceful, colorful and interesting fish. That being said, I am prepared to have to tear the whole tank apart to remove him should he become a problem for my other fish.

I have not heard of them destroying corals any more often than I have heard of chromis doing so.

I would not put one in a 29G unless it was the only fish or was being housed with something small and aggressive like damsels. As with most fish, the smaller the tank for these guys the more likely aggression problems seem, and while some of them seem pretty good community inhabitants, there are plenty of people who have had them go Mr.Hyde and terrorize the whole tank.

 

[snorvich]

No, they do not touch corals. No problem there. But they do not do well with fairy and flasher wrasses. So if you like them . . .

 

[reefworm]

thanks guys! very helpful input. I'm looking for color and interest, but am avoiding Centropyge sp. due to past criminal behavior toward corals. Given your input, especially with regards to attitude in a smaller tank, I'll keep looking. Any suggestions given that tank size, skunk cleaner and perculas are a given?

 

[stanlalee]

first fish I had in my aquarium. never jumps or bothers anybody but will put anybody who attempts to show dominance in there place. I'm not talking wussies either. I had a spotted hawk bigger than it and when the hawk tried to attack it, it just doubled back and gave its back fin something for its troubles. I have added smaller fang blennies with no problems from the sixline. Right now I have a larger false perc and a royal gramma the same size as the sixline both added after way after the sixline and the sixline ignores them both. the clown gets bolsterous almost everyday at feeding and the sixline puts him in his place but never initiates aggression. doesn't bother any corals except when they are added he does a once over looking for food and pest then he leaves them alone. great fish! Now I'm well aware other individuals arent so tolerant of other fish, especially new additions but I havent had that problem. I have a 3ft 30g BTW.

 

[Guygettnby]

i have had a few sixlines and all of them were great additions to my tanks. i only had 1 problem were one of them tried to eat a turbo snail and the snail sucked back into its shell with the sixlines mouth! i had to break the shell open to save the sixline. other then that they are great for a reef tank, but sometimes you will get a bad apple so to speak. so be prepaired for that if it happens.

THEY DO JUMP!! i had them for along time and out of the blue 1 day he disapeerd. i never found out what happened to him until one day i was cleaning my sump and there he was all dried up in the stand. you may get away with not having a top on your tank for awhile but when all said and done they are jumpers and it could happen sooner then you think.

 

[hawkfishman]

some of the most peaceful fish i've ever had LOVE UM!

 

[HOBrien]

Mine has stood up to clowns and damsel with being the victor over them.