Pink Streak Wrasse

Description

🐟 Pink Streak Wrasse (Pseudocheilinops ataenia) – Care Guide & Compatibility

The Pink Streak Wrasse is a small, peaceful, and reef-safe wrasse ideal for nano and community reef aquariums. Its gentle temperament, striking coloration, and compatibility with a wide range of tank mates make it a favorite among hobbyists seeking a low-maintenance wrasse.

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🔹 Quick Facts

• Common Name: Pink Streak Wrasse
• Scientific Name: Pseudocheilinops ataenia
• Family: Labridae
• Origin: Western Pacific (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia)
• Size: Up to 2.5 inches (6.5 cm)
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Reef Safe: ✅ Yes
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
• Diet: Carnivore – feeds on small crustaceans, copepods, and frozen foods (mysis/brine shrimp)
• Care Level: Easy to Moderate
• Jump Risk: High – tank must have a tight-fitting lid

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🎨 Appearance

The Pink Streak Wrasse features a slender, elongated body with vivid pink to reddish horizontal stripes along the sides, often accented by subtle yellow and blue hues on the fins and tail. Males typically display more intense coloration, especially during courtship.

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🌿 Behavior & Habitat

This wrasse is shy but active, often darting through rockwork and coral formations. It prefers tanks with ample live rock for foraging and hiding. It is not aggressive and typically won’t compete aggressively for food or territory.

• Best housed in established tanks with stable water parameters and microfauna
• Will feed on small invertebrates and copepods in the tank
• May take a few days to become visible and confident after introduction

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🤝 Compatibility

✅ Good Tank Mates

• Clownfish (Ocellaris, Percula)
• Gobies (e.g., Watchman, Neon)
• Blennies (e.g., Tailspot, Lawnmower)
• Firefish and Dartfish
• Cardinalfish (Banggai, Pajama)
• Chromis (e.g., Green Chromis)
• Small, peaceful tangs (in larger tanks)

⚠️ Use Caution With

• Dwarf Angelfish (may become territorial)
• Dottybacks (can be aggressive in smaller tanks)
• Royal Gramma (fine in most tanks but potentially territorial)

🚫 Not Recommended With

• Aggressive species like large Damselfish, Triggerfish, or Lionfish
• Larger, aggressive wrasses or predators

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🌀 Compatibility With Other Wrasses

The Pink Streak Wrasse is one of the most peaceful and wrasse-compatible species available. It integrates well with other non-aggressive wrasses and can be kept with multiple wrasses in the same tank if space allows.

✅ Compatible Wrasses

• Possum Wrasse (Wetmorella spp.) – very peaceful and similarly shy
• Fairy Wrasses (Cirrhilabrus spp.) – colorful, peaceful, and reef-safe
• Flasher Wrasses (Paracheilinus spp.) – fast-moving but non-aggressive
• Tamarin Wrasse (Anampses spp.) – generally peaceful in mature tanks
• Court Jester Wrasse – gentle and non-competitive

⚠️ Canary Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus)

• Generally compatible in tanks 40+ gallons
• Should be introduced after or alongside the Pink Streak
• Males may show mild territoriality, but usually peaceful in well-scaped systems

⚠️ Cleaner Wrasses (Labroides dimidiatus)

• Temperamentally compatible, but not recommended due to:
  • Difficulty feeding in captivity
  • High mortality rates unless captive-bred
  • Consider only if highly experienced and sourcing responsibly

🚫 Avoid Aggressive Wrasses

• Six Line Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia)
• Four Line Wrasse
• Mystery Wrasse
• Large Thalassoma or aggressive Halichoeres species

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✅ Summary

The Pink Streak Wrasse is an excellent choice for reef aquarists looking for a small, colorful, and peaceful fish. Its gentle nature and compatibility with a wide variety of tank mates—including many other wrasses—make it a versatile and low-risk addition to both nano and larger community reef tanks.

• ✔️ Peaceful and reef-safe
• ✔️ Compatible with other gentle wrasses
• ✔️ Great for nano tanks (20+ gallons)
• ❗ Needs a covered tank to prevent jumping
• ❗ Prefers mature systems with live rock and microfauna

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