Biosecurity Shipping Limitations apply

Shipping Allowed?

About Sixlined Soapfish

The Sixlined Soapfish is a fascinating predatory marine fish recognised for its dark brown to black body covered in distinctive pale horizontal lines. It is also known as the Sixline Soapfish, Sixlined Perch and Goldenstriped Soapfish. It can reach around 30 cm, making it a substantial fish for the home aquarium.

Despite its attractive appearance, the Sixlined Soapfish is a predator and should not be treated like the similarly named Sixline Wrasse. It spends much of its time around caves, ledges and rockwork, particularly during the day, becoming more active when hunting and feeding.

It has a large mouth and will readily consume smaller fish, crustaceans and other suitably sized prey. For this reason, it is best suited to a large fish-only or predator aquarium with appropriately sized tank mates.

Soapfish also have the ability to release a toxic mucus when seriously stressed, which is an important consideration when handling, transporting or keeping them in an aquarium.

Quick Care Guide

Scientific Name: Grammistes sexlineatus
Common Name: Sixlined Soapfish / Sixline Soapfish / Sixlined Perch
Family: Grammistidae
Type: Marine Fish / Soapfish / Predator
Adult Size: Approximately 30 cm
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive / Predatory
Care Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Minimum Aquarium: 450 L+
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 8.0–8.4
Salinity: 1.023–1.026 SG
Diet: Carnivore
Tank Level: Bottom to Midwater / Rockwork
Reef Safe: No
Suitable For: Large fish-only aquariums and predator systems

Frequently Asked Questions

How big does a Sixlined Soapfish get?

They can reach approximately 30 cm, so a large aquarium is required for long-term care.

Are Sixlined Soapfish reef safe?

No. They are predatory fish and may consume small fish, shrimp, crabs and other ornamental invertebrates.

What do Sixlined Soapfish eat?

They are carnivores and should be offered a varied diet of mysis shrimp, prawns, krill, squid, chopped seafood and other meaty marine foods.

Can Sixlined Soapfish live with other fish?

Yes, provided their tank mates are sufficiently large and robust. Small fish and ornamental crustaceans may be viewed as prey.

Why are they called Soapfish?

Soapfish have specialised skin glands capable of producing a soap-like mucus when stressed. This can be harmful to other fish in an enclosed aquarium, so unnecessary stress should be avoided.

Common Mistakes

Keeping them with small fish
Their predatory nature means smaller fish can become prey.

Keeping them with ornamental shrimp
Shrimp and other small crustaceans are natural prey items.

Using an undersized aquarium
They can reach around 30 cm and require substantial space.

Overhandling the fish
Stress can cause soapfish to release their defensive mucus.

Keeping them in a heavily stocked aquarium
Their mucus can potentially harm other fish if released into a confined system.

Assuming they are a Sixline Wrasse
Despite the similar name, the Sixlined Soapfish is a completely different species and is a predatory soapfish rather than a wrasse.