Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus Carpenteri)

Care Level : Easy

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Blue, Orange

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 : 3"

Origin : Cebu, Indonesia, Sumatra

Family : Labridae

Minimum Tank Size : 50 gallons

The Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus Carpenteri), Redfin Flasher Wrasse, is a species of wrasse native to the western Pacific Ocean.

The Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse is orange with blue vertical stripes as a juvenile. As the fish matures and becomes an adult, the coloration becomes yellow with a series of broken blue horizontal stripes. The dorsal fin features three elongated rays and is red in color accented with yellows and blues. The colors of the adult males intensify when in courtship, whereas the females coloration and overall appearance are more subdued. The females also do not feature the large dorsal and anal fins. The Carpenter’s flasher wrasse is one of the smaller flasher wrasses.  

It should be kept in a tank of at least 50 gallons (more if you are going to keep a group) with plenty of live rock. Most wrasses appreciate a sandy substrate. It is very good jumper, so an aquarium with a closed lid is necessary to prevent it coming out of the tank accidentally. 

A grouping is acceptable and often recommended, since the females will encourage the male to perform colorful displays. If you are going to keep a small group (which is recommended), add the females first; otherwise add them all at the same time. It is often harassed by other fish so the Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse should be the first species introduced into the aquarium. It is best to keep it with peaceful tank mates. They are friendly fish, and not shy. They will often greet the aquarist at the front of the tank and have been known to peck food out of the aquarists’ hands.

The Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.

 Size: Small: 1-1/2" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 2-1/2" Large: 2-1/2" to 3"