|
| |
|
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. |
 
|
| 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. |
|
| 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. |
|
| 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. |
 
|
| 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. |
| 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. |
  |
| |
|
.JPG)
