Line-spot Flasher Wrasse

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the Philippine archipelago within the Coral Triangle. Inhabits seaward coral reefs and current-swept channels, typically at depths of 15 to 35 meters, where it stays close to branching corals and rubble fields.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the family Labridae, genus Paracheilinus. Features a slender, streamlined body. Males possess dorsal fins with multiple thin, thread-like filaments extending upwards. Adult maximum size is about 7 cm.

Social Behavior: Schooling species that lives in small harems led by a single dominant male. Males spend substantial energy swimming in the water column, showing off their colors and expanding their fins to court females.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Males exhibit dotted and dashed red and blue longitudinal lines, scattered spots on the sides, and a rounded tail. Females are smaller, plain pinkish-orange, with faint bluish markings.

Aquarium Setup: Needs an aquarium of at least 200 liters with plenty of open swimming room. A fine sand bed of 2-3 cm is necessary for night-time shelter, alongside live rock caves. A tight-fitting lid is essential to prevent jumping.

Diet and Feeding: Planktivore. In captivity, feed frequently (2-3 times daily) with small frozen foods like copepods, rotifers, brine shrimp, and finely chopped mysis. Can be trained to accept quality dry micro-granules or flakes.

Water Quality: Reef parameters are required: temperature 22-26°C, pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity (SG) 1.020-1.025, GH 15-25, KH 8-12. Provide good water movement and high dissolved oxygen using a protein skimmer.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: 100% reef safe. Ideal for coral reef community tanks. Do not house with aggressive fishes or large, fast-swimming competitors. Keep only one male with multiple females of the same species.

Aquarium Breeding: Undocumented in home aquariums. They are protogynous hermaphrodites and pelagic spawners. Mating occurs in open water during a rapid upward spawning run towards the surface.

Risks and Diseases: High jumping risk if the tank is uncovered. Acclimation stress. The absence of a fine sand bed can lead to chronic stress and physical damage to the snout. Vulnerable to marine ich (Cryptocaryon) and velvet.