Four/Twelve Line Wrasse FOTM JULY '08

Four Line/Twelve Line Wrasse
(Paracheilinus tetrataenia)




It is called a Four Line Wrasse if only main lateral lines are counted. Is called a "Twelve Line Wrasse" if the thin colored stripes on either side of main four lines are counted.

I got as a replacement for my SixLine which came up missing early this month. Because so emotionally attached to the sixline which had been an aquarium member since startup, decided to get something a little different.

The Twelve Line turned out to be a great replacement fish.

Same size and acts much like the sixline. Seems to be even a "busier" fish if that can be imagined. Continuously zipping around tank, in and out of rock holes and crevices.

Tremendously hard and took lots of patience to get decent pics of.

A bit shy at first, but lost all fear after a few days in tank.

The Coris chased it about a bit when first introduced, but no longer does now. Other fish took to it just fine. (looks enough like the sixline, they probably thought it was)

Eats anything.

Also supposedly death on bristle worms, flat worms, pyramid snails and other nuisance critters.

All in all a great replacement and a suitable substitute for a sixline if you can find one. (a little more scarce and more expensive)

$30 at my LFS.




Scientific Name: Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
Family: Labridae

AKA: Four Line Wrasse, 12 Line Wrasse
Maximum Length: 3.0 in.
Care Level: Easy
Family: Labridae
Reef Compatibility: Excellent
Minimum Aquarium Size: 30 gal.
Range: Western and Central Pacific, Hawaii
Diet: Carnivore
Water Conditions: 74-80° F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4













References:

FishBase
AnimalWorld
About.com
Family Aquarium - 12 Line Wrasse
More Photos

 

Great job Omard... Awesome fish....

 

Looks like a sixline's evil cousin

great pics Omard

 

Ummmm,

Just noticed in middle pic, Snowflake is taking nip at Mandarin...

 

Thanks, Omard...great pics....

 

Man, good eye omard...

 

Often astounded at what may show up in a photo, that I did not see when taking.

That snowflake is coming out if/when he gets much bigger...(and if I can manage to catch it...)

 

"Rainbow"

8)


With many fish it is very difficult to really appreciate their beauty until you can see them slow down or take a "swimming break" or so you can get a good view of it, or better yet a photo.

While a Sixline Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) is a truly pretty fish when you can take a close look at it (which is generally pretty difficult as it is usually whizzing around tank at a very fast clip - but does take pauses often enough get a clear view or photo)...


(Reddish face with same color lateral lines seperated by blueish lines, all blending into a lime green colored tail end and fin.)


...but its coloration is almost "plain" when compared to its close "cousin" the "Four" or "Twelve" Line wrasse - (Paracheilinus tetrataenia) ( As stated above, it is called a Four Line Wrasse if only main lateral lines are counted. Is called a "Twelve Line Wrasse" if the thin colored stripes on either side of main four lines are counted.) is really an incredible beauty...

While habits much the same as the Six Line, the Four/Twelve Line is much more skittish and only makes periodic mad dashes out in open from safety of rock. It also may spend long periods hidden away completely from view, almost always if/when anyone approaches front of tank. Making it very difficult to see or get a picture of. (I would guesstimate about two hours of sitting with camera and taking about 100 pics before capturing a halfway decent photograph.) You never know where it is going to pop out from, or which direction it is going to go for a very short exposure to open tank - even at feeding times - and when out in open, it is in high gear the whole time :-/)

But once you do, what you see is really astounding!!!
(these pics are not "photoshopped" - all natural pigments.)


A literal "Rainbow" of different colors!!!



Almost florescent blue lateral lines, trimmed with dark blue or purple ones. Deep blue fins, gradually turning to light blue, then trimmed with bright red. Green belly, going from a fairly light green to dark green from front to rear.




Different colored lateral lines all blend together at purple tail (which is trimmed in dark green)



The front of fish is highlighted by a very bright florescent blue stripe along throat. Green underneath and a blue lower front fin. Reddish head and same "striped" eyes as a Six Line.

Really is a blaze of glorious color when out tripping around tank...but without pics, you really would never know.

(well worth the extra searching for and extra expense if in market for a "lined wrasse")

 

This is one of my favorite fish of all time

Great pictures Scott