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
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By Bob Fenner
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Paracheilinus
filamentosus
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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.
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 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. |
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Paracheilinus bellae Randall 1988,
Bell's Flasher Wrasse. Western central Pacific, Kwajalein
Atoll, Marshall Islands. To two and a half inches in length. |
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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. |
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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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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 hemitaeniatus Randall &
Harmellin-Vivien 1977. Western Indian Ocean: known from a few
specimens off of Madagascar. |
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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. |
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 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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