Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse

Carpenter's flasher wrasse is a small member of the wrasse family that takes its name from the quick "flashing" display males perform for females and rivals. During the display the male suddenly intensifies his colors, spreads his dorsal and anal fins to the full and makes short dashes. Its body is orange-red with thin blue lines. Females are smaller and plainer. Specimens are wild-collected.

• At least 200 liters for one male and 3 females; rock structures below, open swimming space above.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• Reef-safe; it leaves corals and invertebrates alone.
• A lid is essential: It is an excellent jumper; use a mesh lid.

Carnivorous; in the wild it eats zooplankton. Frozen mysis, copepods, enriched brine shrimp and small granule food. Because of its small size, feeding small amounts 3 times a day is best.

Peaceful and timid; dominant fish drive it into hiding. There should be only one male in the same aquarium; males of different Paracheilinus species also clash. It can be kept together with fairy wrasses in a large aquarium.

Good companions: Fairy wrasses, anthias, cardinalfish, gobies, firefish goby, clownfish, cleaner shrimp.

Avoid: Sixline wrasse, dottybacks, aggressive damsels, lionfish and large predators.