Madagascar Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus Hemitaeniatus)

Care Level : Easy

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Blue, Orange, Red

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : Yes

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 4" 

Difficulty : Average 

Offspring : Not available as offspring

Origin : Western Indian Ocean, South-Africa

Family : Labridae

Minimum Tank Size : 55 gallons

Madagascar Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus Hemitaeniatus), commonly referred to as the Filamentous Flasher Wrasse or Half Banded Flasher Wrasse, gets its nickname from its "flashing" behavior, which entails bright color displays in male wrasses, as well as flashing fins.

Male Flasher Wrasse exhibit these displays during mating rituals. In order for a male Flasher Wrasse to successfully attract a female during courtship, the male must be worthy of her interest and proceeds to win her favor by flashing his colors and flaring his fins. Flashing may also be observed during territorial disputes with other tankmates the wrasse views as a rival or threat. A grouping is acceptable and often recommended, since the females will encourage the male to perform colorful displays. The females should be introduced into the tank first.

The Paracheilinus Hemitaeniatus requires a 55 gallon or larger aquarium with a tight-fitting lid since it is a jumper. Unlike some other wrasses that sleep in the sand, they do not need a sand bed as flasher wrasses create a mucus cocoon over their bodies for sleeping. It is often harassed by other fish so the Flasher Wrasse should be the first species introduced into the aquarium.

It is best to keep it with peaceful tank mates. Flashers can be kept with smaller angelfishes such as Centropyge, non-aggressive damsels, wrasses of different genera, cardinalfishes, seahorses and pipefishes, butterflyfishes, and other non-aggressive fish. Flasher Wrasse are one of the most reef-safe fish since they will not harm corals or sessile invertebrates. 

The Paracheilinus Hemitaeniatus diet should include vitamin enriched frozen Mysis shrimp, Amphipods, Brine Shrimp Nauplii, Brine Shrimps, Copepods, Crustaceans, Cyclops, Daphnia salina, Frozen food (small sorts), Invertebrates, Mysis, Zoobenthos, Zooplankton.