Eight line flasher

GoldeneyeRet · Nov 10, 2018

Paracheilinus octotaenia, who has one? What do you think of it? How does it look? How does it behave?

For my new build I was going to have fairy wrasse but leave flashers out as they are just so hyper... now I'm thinking of an 8 line. What does everyone think of them?

saltyhog · Nov 10, 2018

They are beautiful. They are the largest and most aggressive of the flashers so if you intend to have more than one add the eight line last.

The only flashers I like better are P. attenuatus, P. rubricaudalis

GoldeneyeRet · Nov 10, 2018

Thanks saltyhog... you like the redtailed better? What do you like better about it, looks or behavior?

saltyhog · Nov 10, 2018

Well this is an exceptional specimen but it does give you an idea what a red tail can be.

GoldeneyeRet · Nov 10, 2018

Yes that's beautiful. But there are some amazing photos of octateana as well, which prompts my question, does either fish actually ever look like that?

saltyhog · Nov 10, 2018

Your point is well taken. The pictures of eightlines I've seen are probably more realistic than the one of the red tail above. I have owned a red tail and when it flashed it was incredibly beautiful.

I guess it really is a moot point as I haven't seen a red tailed offered for sale in a long time.

GoldeneyeRet · Nov 11, 2018

Could I expect an octateania to be as hyper as my flavianalis and lineopunctatus? Those two have not yet been moved to the new tank yet yet due to their...enthusiasm.

saltyhog · Nov 11, 2018

Yeah, the whole genus is very active. They don't bother anything though other than maybe other flashers. Why are you concerned about moving them to the DT?

GoldeneyeRet · Nov 11, 2018

Because they drive me crazy. My Cirhilabrus dont bother me but the flashers are nuts.

I am probably going to attempt trapping them soon, maybe right now. Shouldn't be hard , I'll just take the cover off the overflow, they will jump right in.

Ocdreef · Nov 11, 2018

My sub adult eight line flasher gets bossed around by only a slightly larger whip fin fairy, so I think size does matter a lot with this genus. The eight line doesn't bother or harass anybody else in my mixed wrasse collection but yes he is very active and should have a tank with a lid.

GoldeneyeRet · Nov 11, 2018

Well, I ordered one...lol.

Ocdreef · Nov 11, 2018

Nice, I think you'll be happy. They are a super cool fish. good luck!

GoldeneyeRet · Nov 11, 2018

Thanks.

39 minutes since I posted about trapping my flavianalis and lineopunctatus . Both are already in acclimation to new tank. Lol predictable. Hyper. Flashers

saltyhog · Nov 11, 2018

LOL! Why do they drive you crazy? I love the fact that they are always on the move. I could probably catch mine with my hand if I needed to..of course all of my fish are pretty much big pets. Hope they do well for you!