Share 6line experiences

steelwrap · Nov 9, 2018

Dont mean to hijack this but what other options than the sixline that does the same pest control? Thanks

flooddc · Nov 9, 2018

here are my mated pair, they paired up for 4 years but last February the female suddenly passed. I thought about getting a new mate but figured it going to be tough to handle.

Jesterrace · Nov 9, 2018

6 lines are well known for being okay for a while and then being unholy terrors and very difficult to catch later on. The only way I would recommend one is to dedicate a tank to one.

Scurvy · Nov 9, 2018

I loved my 6 Line right up until I tried adding new fish. Didnt matter if they were wrasse or not, he went after em all.

Id look at a Radiant or Melanarus if tank size permits.

Robink · Nov 9, 2018

I have a sixline and 3 other wrasses, ruby head, katoi, and yellow coris. He doesn't bother any of them. I do however have 2 blue chromis that are jerky and did not like him as soon as I put him in. He holds his own against them. He also acts like a cleaner wrasse to some of the other fish, especially an anthias, which I think is unusual. Good for pest control with the yellow coris.

User1 · Nov 9, 2018

Well, I'm not going to sugar coat this but they pack a whole lot of attitude in a small frame. I owned one back when I had a 100 gallon aquarium. Great fish. Active. Always moving. Always looking. Always foraging. Really, this is a fish in a small frame that is lightening quick but slow enough to hover in place for that specific worm or pod it caught out of its peripheral vision. They are pretty, good color, and unique. But back to that attitude - they have one and are not shy to show it. I personally didn't have issues with the fish in my 100 gallon soft and LPS tank. At least visible I should say.

Could be what was in the tank - tomato clowns, kole tang, and a few other fish I can't remember. Could be it was just a lucky fish who was happy to be in a new home and not be prey to a larger fish in the food chain in the ocean where he came from. I really don't know. I think if you know what it is before you introduce it and setup the tank with that in mind it can be a great asset working fish. On the other hand if you just buy it on impulse or has a surprise then bad things will only come from it.

This should be the case though for any coral or fish you introduce. There is a cause and effect.

mort · Nov 9, 2018

A theory I've heard about aggression within them which is interesting but unproven as far as I know, it basically suggests that when they are young and female they are more amicable but as they mature and turn into males aggression grows. It would make sense seeing as males would have to defend a territory in nature. this also supports the fact most are fine in our tanks and get on with existing fish before turning psycho.

If wanting a fish for pest control I'd personally go for a pink streak wrasse (or a pair) if I was limited by tank size or a small halichoeres if I had more space.

catfishblues · Nov 9, 2018

I hear good things but the one I had in my 120 was probably my least favorite reef fish I've ever owned. Mostly cause it constantly stole food from corals, nems, shrimp, and other fish which left me sitting there guarding everything while they ate and even then he'd steal a lot. Don't remember him being too outright aggressive but a little bit moody occasionally.

VB313 · Nov 9, 2018

mort said:
But will it be your last addition ever? By that I mean if you were to lose something it would probably be hard to replace. Sixline's are one of my favourite fish and I'd never be without one but mine lives on its own for a reason. I'm normally the poster boy for misunderstood species, with a soft spot for damsels and dottybacks, but even I find it hard to ever advise a sixline for a normal community tank. In your case the firefish would be most at risk. If you want harmony in your tank consider the pink streak wrasse or something else instead.

For those that haven't had trouble with their sixline I'd suggest you are either very lucky, haven't had it long enough or keep it on its own like me.

You may have me sold on the pink streak wrasse

James M · Nov 9, 2018

steelwrap said:
Dont mean to hijack this but what other options than the sixline that does the same pest control? Thanks

Possum wrasse and yellow coris wrasse only ones off the top of my head

RussiReef · Nov 9, 2018

Definitely known for aggressiveness

Maritimer · Nov 13, 2018

I had one for a little while.

Received as an adult, due to a tank tear-down. Wouldn't call him aggressive to the other fish in the tank, but definitely pretty twitchy.

Literally.

He'd get in front of another fish, and -twitch-, blasting them with a pressure wave they could feel through their lateral line.

Interesting fish, and gorgeous colors, but their reputation's enough to keep them off my primary stocklist.

~Bruce, who has read from some reefers that pairing them _may_ lessen aggressive tendencies