Sixline Wrasse

The Sixline Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) is a small marine ray-finned fish in the family Labridae. Its scientific name, hexataenia, means "six-banded," referring to the six distinct orange stripes that mark its violet body. It reaches a maximum total length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in). The body is violet with these six orange stripes running horizontally along the flanks. Its eyes are red. A small dark eyespot is present on the dorsal part of the caudal fin base, and a blue stripe runs along the anal fin base, with an additional blue streak on the pelvic fin.

This species occurs throughout the Indo-Pacific, ranging from the 🌊 Red Sea and eastern Africa across the 🌊 Indian Ocean to the Western Pacific. It inhabits coral reefs, preferring seaward reefs, clear coastal waters, and areas of dense coral growth on reef crests or slopes, typically at depths down to 20 metres (66 ft). The Sixline Wrasse is a secretive, shy, and diurnal species, usually encountered in small, loose groups that seek protection among coral branches. It forages primarily for small crustaceans and has also been observed acting as a cleaner fish, removing ectoparasites such as copepods and isopods from other fish. At night, it takes shelter in reef crevices, where it secretes a mucus cocoon thought to mask its scent from nocturnal predators while it sleeps.

Spawning has been documented in the Izu Islands of 🇯🇵 Japan, occurring just before sunset. Paired adults undertake a rapid, vertical dash towards the surface to release gametes, a behaviour believed to reduce the risk of predation during the act. While collected for the aquarium trade, this species has not been bred in captivity.