Is the pink-streaked wrasse completely reef safe?

Yes, it is considered entirely reef safe. It will not nip at corals or bother ornamental shrimp and clean-up crews, focusing entirely on micro-crustaceans like copepods.

Will a pink-streaked wrasse eat flatworms?

While they may occasionally pick at very small pests, they are not as reliable for flatworm control as the larger sixline wrasse due to their small mouth size and timid nature.

Why is my pink-streaked wrasse hiding all the time?

This species is naturally secretive and easily intimidated. It is perfectly normal for them to hide for the first few weeks. Ensure there are no aggressive tankmates bullying it and provide plenty of live rock to make it feel secure.

Can I keep a pink-streaked wrasse in a nano tank?

Absolutely. Because they max out at around 4-5 cm and do not require massive swimming space, they are one of the few wrasses perfectly suited for tanks as small as 60 litres.

Can I keep two pink-streaked wrasses together?

They are best kept solitary unless you can obtain a confirmed mated pair. Two males or unsexed individuals in a small tank may fight.

MarineMarineIntermediate

Pink-Streaked Wrasse

Pseudocheilinops ataenia

A peaceful, highly sought-after nano wrasse known for its distinctive pink stripes and uniquely shy disposition.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 23 – 27 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 14 – 22 dGH
Salinity: 1.02 – 1.026 SG
Adult size: 4 – 5 cm
Nano reef minimum: 60 litres+
Lifespan: 5 – 8 years
Diet: Carnivore
Water flow: Moderate
Preferred setup: Live rock with numerous crevices and branching corals for hiding.

About the Pink-Streaked Wrasse

The pink-streaked wrasse (Pseudocheilinops ataenia) is a diminutive gem for the marine aquarist. Unlike its notoriously pugnacious cousin, the sixline wrasse, this tiny species is exceptionally peaceful and often quite secretive. It spends much of its day methodically weaving through live rock and branching corals, hunting for microscopic crustaceans. Its small adult size and entirely reef-safe nature make it an ideal candidate for peaceful community setups.

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Is it right for your tank?

Check Pink-Streaked Wrasse against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Pink-Streaked Wrasse comes from

Native range

Indo-West Pacific, Coral Triangle

Countries / regions

Indonesia, Philippines, Palau

Habitat

Sheltered coastal reefs and lagoons, particularly among dense branching corals and rubble zones.

Populations are often highly localised to specific coral-rich, protected embayments.

Similar species

Sixline Wrasse
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
Possum Wrasse
Wetmorella nigropinnata

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Firefish
Nemateleotris magnifica
Both are peaceful, small-sized reef fish that occupy slightly different niches and will not bother one another.
Great
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
The pink-streaked wrasse is far too small to pose any predatory threat to adult ornamental shrimp.
Great
Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
A highly compatible, relatively peaceful species that comfortably shares space in smaller marine aquariums.
Great
Cherub Angelfish
Centropyge argi
Pygmy angelfish can sometimes be bossy or territorial in nano tanks, which might drive the shy wrasse into hiding.
Compatible with caution
Sixline Wrasse
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
The sixline wrasse is highly aggressive towards similar-shaped small wrasses and will mercilessly bully the timid pink-streak.
Not recommended
Magenta Dottyback
Pictichromis porphyrea
Dottybacks are fiercely territorial rock-dwellers that will terrorise and likely kill a peaceful, diminutive wrasse.
Not recommended

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