Sixline Soapfish

The soapfish takes its name from the frothy mucus it secretes from its skin when stressed, which becomes slippery like soap. This secretion contains a bitter, toxic substance called grammistin; it deters predators, but in a small or crowded aquarium, and especially in a shipping bag, it can harm other fish. The body is dark brown–black and the lines are yellow or cream. Juveniles have fewer lines; as they grow the lines multiply, and in large adults they may become broken. Specimens are wild-collected.

• At least 400 liters; caves and overhangs to hide in during the day.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C; a strong protein skimmer and activated carbon.
• Do not pour the water from the shipping bag into the aquarium; it should not be shipped in the same bag as other fish.
• Reef-safe with caution: It leaves corals alone, but eats small fish and shrimp.

Carnivorous; in the wild it feeds on small fish. It is fed chopped fish, shrimp, squid and large mysis 3–4 times a week.

An ambush predator that hides during the day and becomes active at dusk. It usually gets along with fish too large to fit in its mouth; it can be cantankerous towards its own kind.

Good companions: Fish of similar or larger size: tangs, large angelfish, foxface, triggerfish, moray eels, groupers.

Avoid: Small fish such as gobies, cardinalfish, anthias and chromis; ornamental shrimp; small aquariums.