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Related FAQs: Flasher Wrasses, & FAQs on: Flasher Wrasse Identification, Flasher Wrasse Behavior, Flasher Wrasse Compatibility, Flasher Wrasse Selection, Flasher Wrasse Systems, Flasher Wrasse Feeding, Flasher Wrasse Disease, Flasher Wrasse Reproduction, & Wrasses, Wrasse Selection, Wrasse Behavior, Wrasse Compatibility, Wrasse Feeding, Wrasse Diseases, Related Articles: The Diversity of Wrasses, Family Labridae, /The Conscientious Marine Aquarist Flasher Wrasses, the Genus Paracheilinus | 
| By Bob Fenner | Paracheilinus filamentosus |
These are the well-named "Flasher Wrasses", an appellation deserved for the eight or so species behavior as well as appearance. They are "flashy" in their males bright coloration and longish finnage, and "flashers" as they emerge above the reef, show off their grandeur with lateral displays and just as quickly dive back into their coral lairs. These fishes are hardier than they appear, most are bumped off by jumping out, being kept improperly; as lone males (they live in harems in the wild), with not-peaceful-enough tankmates, without adequate habitat, or sufficient "planktonic" food. Paracheilinus filamentosus, the Filamented Flasher Wrasse (2), is the most commonly offered species of the genus by far. P. carpenteri, P. mccoskeri, P. octotaenia and other as yet unidentified species show up from time to time (mainly as "incidentals" in Indonesia livestock imports). All have similar requirements and behavior. Nine nominal species: | Paracheilinus angulatus Randall & Lubbock 1981, the Angular Flasher Wrasse. Western central Pacific... known from two specimens collected in the Philippines. To three inches total length. | |
| Paracheilinus bellae Randall 1988, Bell's Flasher Wrasse. Western central Pacific, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. To two and a half inches in length. | |
| Paracheilinus carpenteri Randall & Lubbock 1981, the Pink Flasher Wrasse. Indo-west Pacific. Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia. To three inches in length. Males in captivity and N. Sulawesi. |  
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| Paracheilinus cyaneus Kuiter & Allen, 1999. Western Central Pacific: Indonesia. To three inches in length. Found in sheltered areas of broken coral rubble. Aquarium photo of a 5 cm. male upper, and a P. filamentosus and males below. Photos by Hiroyuki Tanaka. | 
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| Paracheilinus dispilus Randall, 1999. Indian Ocean: Reunion and Mauritius. To three inches in length. | |
| Paracheilinus filamentosus Allen 1974, the Filamentous Wrasse. Indo-Pacific. To six inches total length. Lives in rubble zones, near the bottom, feeding on zooplankton. At right, an aquarium photo of a male by Hiroyuki Tanaka. Below: Aquarium image, and an excited and not males (and female, lower) I chased in N. Sulawesi. Third row down, some females in Mabul, Malaysia. | 
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| Bigger PIX: The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size. |
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| Paracheilinus flavianalis Kuiter & Allen 1999. Eastern Indian Ocean: Indonesia and northwestern Australia. To 8.5 cm. in length. Pix of two males displaying by Hiroyuki Tanaka. |  
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| Paracheilinus hemitaeniatus Randall & Harmellin-Vivien 1977. Western Indian Ocean: known from a few specimens off of Madagascar. | |
| Paracheilinus lineopunctatus Randall & Lubbock 1981, the Spot-Lined Flasher Wrasse. Western central Pacific. To two and a half inches in length. Aquarium photos of males by Hiroyuki Tanaka. |
| Paracheilinus octotaenia Fourmanoir 1955, the Red Sea Eightline Flasher Wrasse. Red Sea in distribution. To three and a half inches in length. Females and a non- and displaying male in the Red Sea by RMF. Second row, males in captivity by Hiroyuki Tanaka. |
| Bigger PIX: The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size. |
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| Paracheilinus rubricaudalis Randall & Allen 2003. The Red-tailed Flasher Wrasse. Western Central Pacific: Fiji.. Aquarium photo of a displaying and not male by Hiroyuki Tanaka. |   |
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