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About Sixbar Wrasse

The Sixbar Wrasse is a striking and active marine wrasse recognised for its green, blue and yellow body with distinctive vertical dark bars. Its bold pattern and energetic personality make it an impressive addition to larger marine aquariums.

Sixbar Wrasses are fast, active swimmers and enthusiastic predators. They spend much of their time exploring rockwork and searching for food, making plenty of open swimming space important.

They can be quite territorial and aggressive, particularly towards smaller, more peaceful wrasses and similarly shaped fish. They are best suited to larger marine systems with robust tank mates.

Although generally considered reef compatible with corals, their predatory nature means they may eat small ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails and other small invertebrates.

They readily accept a varied carnivorous diet including mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, chopped seafood and quality marine pellets.

Quick Care Guide

Scientific Name: Thalassoma hardwicke
Common Name: Sixbar Wrasse / Six Bar Wrasse
Family: Labridae
Type: Marine Fish / Wrasse
Adult Size: Approximately 20 cm
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive to Aggressive
Care Level: Intermediate
Minimum Aquarium: 300 L+
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 8.0–8.4
Salinity: 1.023–1.026 SG
Diet: Carnivore
Tank Level: All Levels
Reef Safe: With Caution
Suitable For: Large marine aquariums and fish-only-with-live-rock systems

Frequently Asked Questions

How big does a Sixbar Wrasse get?

Sixbar Wrasses can reach approximately 20 cm, making them a substantial and active aquarium fish.

Are Sixbar Wrasses reef safe?

They are generally safe with corals, but small ornamental invertebrates can be at risk. They may prey on shrimp, crabs, snails and other small crustaceans.

Are Sixbar Wrasses aggressive?

Yes. They can become territorial and aggressive, particularly towards smaller wrasses and similarly shaped fish.

What do Sixbar Wrasses eat?

They are carnivores and readily accept mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, chopped seafood and quality marine pellets.

Can Sixbar Wrasses be kept with other wrasses?

They can be kept with robust wrasses in a sufficiently large aquarium, but careful consideration should be given to temperament and size. Avoid combining them with timid or significantly smaller wrasses.

Common Mistakes

Keeping them in a small aquarium
Sixbar Wrasses are active swimmers and require plenty of open swimming space.

Keeping them with small peaceful wrasses
Their territorial and predatory behaviour can cause significant stress or injury.

Keeping them with small ornamental shrimp
Shrimp and other small crustaceans may be viewed as prey.

Underestimating their aggression
Their attractive appearance can make them seem like a peaceful community fish, but they can become highly territorial as they mature.

Not providing secure rockwork
Rockwork provides shelter and territories and helps reduce stress.