Experience with six-line wrasses?

[mjs61290]

Hey everyone.

I have a 75G with the following inhabitants:

2 chalk basslets
1 pink skunk clownfish
1 blue sapphire damsel
1 blue-green chromis
1 yellow clown goby
1 scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp
1 peppermint shrimp
assorted snails and hermits

The tank does not have any corals yet, but I will likely add them in the future.

I am looking to round out my group of fish and one that I have my eye on is the six-line wrasse.

I have very limited experience with the fish. Back when I was stupid and first started the hobby, I had a 10G nano with an Ocellaris and a six-line. The two got along great, but the wrasse died within a week because I had no idea what I was doing.

I've heard stories of the six-line starting out as a model citizen and then becoming a little jerk as it gets older. I've even read one person go as far to say as there is no such thing as a "peaceful" six-line wrasse.

Is this true? Or does anyone have any positive experience with this fish? Would it be safe with my shrimp?

 

[snorvich]

I've heard stories of the six-line starting out as a model citizen and then becoming a little jerk as it gets older. I've even read one person go as far to say as there is no such thing as a "peaceful" six-line wrasse.

You may find someone whose six-line wrasse is fine (at least for a while) but that would be the exception rather than the rule.

 

[evolved]

You may find someone whose six-line wrasse is fine (at least for a while) but that would be the exception rather than the rule.

+1

And Pseudocheilinus wrasse are incompatible with all other wrasses.

 

[Force4000]

Hey everyone.

I have a 75G with the following inhabitants:

2 chalk basslets
1 pink skunk clownfish
1 blue sapphire damsel
1 blue-green chromis
1 yellow clown goby
1 scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp
1 peppermint shrimp
assorted snails and hermits

The tank does not have any corals yet, but I will likely add them in the future.

I am looking to round out my group of fish and one that I have my eye on is the six-line wrasse.

I have very limited experience with the fish. Back when I was stupid and first started the hobby, I had a 10G nano with an Ocellaris and a six-line. The two got along great, but the wrasse died within a week because I had no idea what I was doing.

I've heard stories of the six-line starting out as a model citizen and then becoming a little jerk as it gets older. I've even read one person go as far to say as there is no such thing as a "peaceful" six-line wrasse.

Is this true? Or does anyone have any positive experience with this fish? Would it be safe with my shrimp?

I had a 6-line with a clown for years with no problems but then I tried adding peppermint shrimp and a neon goby and she destroyed all of them within a day. Very aggressive towards new stock in the tank. I personally will not stock one in my tank after this.

 

[humaguy]

lol, they are wonderfully nasty and evil little fish...

 

[3dees]

I think most problems are from small tanks and incompatable tankmates. I have one in my 120 gal. with a lot of live rock and loads of caves. my sixline was the last fish added and it doesn't bother any other fish. it's still the smallest fish and it may become crazy later on, but so far all is well. there has to be people who keep them without problems.

 

[mjs61290]

Ah. So the stories most of you have are similar to the stories I have heard in the past. Looks like getting one may not be the best idea.

Thanks everyone.

 

[MondoBongo]

i had a 6 line for over a year. awful fish.

bullied my clowns relentlessly, and for no reason. would start low down in the tank (75g) and come streaking up at them and strike them. he had to go. i will never own another one, and advise all others to pass on them as well.

 

[ace_92101]

I had no issues in a mixed reef, but I'm minority. Also be prepared to lose your shrimp.

 

[OrionN]

I had a Sixline pair and a Madarin pair in my 450 gal tank. After about 1 year, one day the Sixline pair, acting together, attack the female Mandarin. they just peck her eyes out then just totally ignored her. I was luckly and trapped them out before they go for the male mandarin. I euthanized my Madarin female before she starved to death.

 

[Coelli]

Thank god for threads like these, I just finished reading a book about nano reefs and the sixline was enthusiatically recommended. I think I'll pass.

 

[Nanighan]

My sixline is a terror to smaller fish such as clownfish and anthias, but will leave bigger fish alone such as tangs. I would have sent her packing earlier but they are great at pest control, and dont need sand to sleep in.