The Best Reef Wrasses; Part 4

This wrasse is a small, colorful fish that is a welcome addition to any reef aquarium (even the nano-reef). While it is very shy initially, it gradually becomes quite bold and will spend a considerable amount of time in the open. It is a good feeder, taking frozen foods and flake foods. It is ignored by most of its tankmates, although I have seen the related Pseudocheilinus wrasses chase it. If the tank is large enough and there are plenty of hiding places, the P. ataenia will simply dive between the branches of soft or hard corals.

I have never seen it behave aggressively toward any other fishes, including two smaller possum wrasses (Wetmorella spp.) I introduced to a tank where the P. ataenia was well established. The possum wrasses are very similar in shape to the Pinkstreaked and one would think they could elicit aggression. On a couple of occasions, one Pinkstreaked Wrasse I kept would inspect a larger fairy wrasse as if it was going to clean it. However, I have yet to see actual cleaning.