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About Carpenter Flasher Wrasse

The Carpenter Flasher Wrasse is a spectacular small reef fish famous for the intense colour displays produced by males during courtship. Males can flash brilliant red, orange, pink and blue colours while displaying their fins to females and rival males.

This active species is an excellent choice for reef aquariums and is generally peaceful towards other fish. Carpenter Flasher Wrasses spend much of their time in the open water above the rockwork, darting through the aquarium before quickly retreating into the rockwork when startled.

They are best kept in a mature, covered aquarium, as flasher wrasses are exceptional jumpers. A tight-fitting lid or mesh screen is strongly recommended.

Carpenter Flasher Wrasses are planktivores and benefit from frequent feeding of small marine foods such as mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, copepods and quality marine pellets.

They are generally reef safe and will not normally bother corals or larger ornamental invertebrates.

Quick Care Guide

Scientific Name: Paracheilinus carpenteri
Common Name: Carpenter Flasher Wrasse
Family: Labridae
Type: Marine Fish / Flasher Wrasse
Adult Size: Approximately 8–10 cm
Temperament: Peaceful
Care Level: Easy to Intermediate
Minimum Aquarium: 120 L+
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 8.0–8.4
Salinity: 1.023–1.026 SG
Diet: Planktivore / Carnivore
Tank Level: Midwater to Upper Levels
Reef Safe: Yes
Suitable For: Reef aquariums and peaceful marine community tanks

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Carpenter Flasher Wrasses reef safe?

Yes. They are considered reef safe and are excellent additions to coral reef aquariums.

Why do male Carpenter Flasher Wrasses flash?

Males perform spectacular colour and fin displays to attract females and compete with rival males. Their colours can become particularly intense during courtship.

Can Carpenter Flasher Wrasses be kept in groups?

Yes. They can be kept with females and, in sufficiently large aquariums, multiple individuals can display fascinating social behaviour. Multiple males may compete with each other.

Do Carpenter Flasher Wrasses jump?

Absolutely. Like many wrasses, they are excellent jumpers. A secure lid or mesh cover is strongly recommended.

What do Carpenter Flasher Wrasses eat?

They readily accept mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, copepods and quality small marine pellets. Several small feedings per day are ideal.

Common Mistakes

Leaving the aquarium uncovered
Flasher Wrasses can jump through surprisingly small openings.

Keeping multiple males in a small aquarium
Males can become competitive and territorial towards each other.

Feeding only once per day
Their active lifestyle and planktivorous feeding behaviour make frequent smaller meals preferable.

Keeping them with aggressive fish
Their peaceful nature makes them vulnerable to bullying.

Not providing enough open swimming space
They spend much of their time in the water column above the rockwork.