thinking of a 6 line wrasse

[reef tank 2.0]

I have a 130 gallon tank, that currently has (2) percula clownfish in it.

This will be a reef tank, but as you can imagine, this tank is brand spankin new.

I'm thinking about getting a 6 line wrasse for my next purchase.

Since they can be aggressive, Would it be best to get one now, or wait towards then end of my tank stocking?

 

[Genera]

Add him/her later.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

I think that would be best as well.......thank you

 

[ilikefish34]

It all depends on what else you want to stock the tank with.

If you only want to add a couple of tangs and hawkfish (or something that won't be easily bullied) then I wouldn't worry when you add it... if you want some fish that are on the smaller side and similarly shaped as the 6-line, then I would definitely wait.

Personally, I know my preferences change as time goes on. Couple that with the inevitability that fish eventually die (pertaining to less aggressive fish that you add before the wrasse that may need to replace down the road), it may serve you better to get a wrasse with a more peaceful reputation.

Good Luck
Mike

 

[ThRoewer]

When to add him/her depends on the other fish you plan to put into that tank.
I had a lot of sixline pairs and they didn't cause much trouble with most fish. The only fish they don't get along with well (at least in smaller tanks) are mandarin fish.

I would suggest to get the tiniest specimen you can find.

 

[snorvich]

Six line wrasses can be a major pain. Not compatible with others wrasses or dragonets.

 

[johnike]

^^^ What Steve said.
I'll never own another.

 

[ThRoewer]

They are best with larger fish that can hold their own.

 

[humaguy]

lol, don't add...

 

[evolved]

+3; just don't do it at all.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

You can put it in but more likely than not you will want it out at some point. It really depends on what your stocking plan is. They are a major pain to catch though.

 

[ThRoewer]

You can put it in but more likely than not you will want it out at some point. It really depends on what your stocking plan is. They are a major pain to catch though.

I kept a pair of sixlines in a 200 gallon tank with a pair of fully grown ocellaris, a pair of marine bettas and a 4.5 and 5 inch Philippine regal angel pair.
With those fish the sixlines were model citizens. Things only got iffy when I added a pair of mandarins.

Catching them is easy when you know how. These guys a very cautious so a trap with food never worked for me. But putting a mirror at the end of the trap worked like a charm - they see their own reflection and get so aggravated that they forget all caution and swim straight into the trap to attack that pesky intruder. Usually they don't even notice right away that they are trapped.

 

[daquan44]

Don't do it. I have a six-line, and he is a terror to fish smaller than him. He bullied by fire-fish to death, both neon gobies as well. He tried to bully my clown fish, but I think they were too tough for him. I will say that I suspect he is the reason my tank has been pest free though.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

I see the common answer here....definitely think I'm gonna pass on him.

Thank you

 

[crazymnkeyman77]

I have a 130 gallon tank, that currently has (2) percula clownfish in it.

This will be a reef tank, but as you can imagine, this tank is brand spankin new.

I'm thinking about getting a 6 line wrasse for my next purchase.

Since they can be aggressive, Would it be best to get one now, or wait towards then end of my tank stocking?

Six line wrasses can be a major pain. Not compatible with others wrasses or dragonets.

I would not recommend getting a six line wrasse because of how much of a pain in the *** they are but if you end up getting one, add it last to reduce aggression chances... Also Snorvich is probably the best person to ask about fish compatibility, and is never wrong lol

 

[CoralsAddiction]

I will say that I suspect he is the reason my tank has been pest free though.

I had a similar experience before. It's the only reason I ever bought it and never quick to write them off a stocking list. But if the OP eventually wants to add more wrasses down the road it's better to avoid the six line.

 

[2una]

Man you guys make the six lines sound worse than a blue damsel.
I'm gonna go give my six line a pat - he don't pester no-one, including 5 other wrasse & a manderin, just cruises all day long minding his own business.
He's in there with a Leopard,Tamarin,red coris,lemon meringue & cleaner. He was my 2nd wrasse i put in.
I got a dottyback with a 100 time worse attitude problem

 

[albano]

I'm gonna go give my six line a pat - he don't pester no-one...

So far...

 

[ThRoewer]

So far...

They are not that bad.

Almost all fish will become bullies or their victims when put together with incompatible species or the wrong members of their own species.

I also see a difference if you keep them alone, in pairs or in a harem group.
In a pair or harem group they are usually too busy with themselves to harass other fish too much. At least that is my experience with many of the notorious bullies.