| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Planktivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 55 gallons |
| Max Size | 4 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
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| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 2.25" or smaller - Africa |
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| Out of Stock | 2.25 - 3.5" - Africa |
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| Out of Stock | 2.25 - 3.5" - Male - Africa |
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Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
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Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
The Eight Line Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus octotaenia) is a small Red Sea flasher wrasse known for fine horizontal striping and streamlined finnage that changes noticeably as it matures. In a reef tank, adult males will “flash” by flaring fins and intensifying color during social displays.
What You’ll Observe:
- Quick, looping swims through open water followed by short pauses near rockwork
- A regular evening routine of settling into rock crevices to rest
- Noticeable color and fin development over time as the fish transitions in social rank
- Short, repeatable display swims when it notices tankmates nearby
Provide open swimming lanes with multiple rockwork “hideouts” so it can move between cover and the water column naturally. Offer small meaty foods and quality pellets in a few small feedings each day to match its active foraging style. For mixed-wrasse tanks, a brief introduction in an acclimation box helps everyone settle in smoothly.
Does this wrasse need a sand bed to sleep at night?
No—flasher wrasses typically settle into rockwork to rest, so stable crevices and ledges are more important than deep sand.
How do I encourage more “flashing” behavior?
Flashing is most often seen during social interaction, especially when the fish has a clear “stage” (open water) and feels established in the tank.
Can a female become a male over time?
Yes—like many flasher wrasses, the dominant individual can transition to male, and hobbyists commonly notice rapid changes once the social structure shifts.
Will it take pellets, or is it frozen-only?
Many keepers report success with both frozen foods and pellets once the fish is feeding confidently, especially when offered in smaller, frequent portions.
Any simple tip for adding it to an established wrasse group?
A short acclimation-box introduction lets existing wrasses see the newcomer without direct contact, which usually makes the first week calmer.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
