Six-Line Wrasse and Clownfish, Will They Get Along in the Same Tank?

No matter what kind of pet you’re getting, if you already have one, you will have to consider whether or not they are compatible with one another or not. If they aren’t, they have the potential to make both each other’s and your life a living hell.

Fish are no different in this regard. Different fish have different sorts of aggressiveness and behaviors, so it is important to know these before putting two different fish in the same tank. This begs for the question if you’re keeping six-line wrasse and clownfish, will they get along in the same tank?

Clownfish

Clownfish are one of the most popular fish to exist and are kept as pets all over the world. This is because of both their general popularity and how easy to keep they are as well. They take almost all types of fish food and don’t exactly require a hose anemone either. 

Other than these general facts regarding clownfish, it is their behavior that is most important to keep in consideration before introducing a different fish to them in the same tank. So before further ado, let us jump right in. 

Behavior

Clownfish are considered to be very aggressive in nature. If they have a host sea anemone, they will defend it and/or any territory that they live in. They are generally very peaceful, though, but act aggressively in hostility or even different fish. 

For clownfish, it is even said to not mix different species of the same clownfish because of the risk of them ending up fighting one another. And so it is recommended to keep only one or a pair of clowns in your tank. 

What fish do clownfish get along with? 

That being said, clownfish are found to be somewhat adaptable in nature and can and do coexist with other fish. But these fish are mostly found to be smaller fish like damselfish, dartfish, butterflyfish, and even wrasses. 

Clownfish have weaker swimming, and so bigger fish like Tangs with them is generally not recommended because they may cause stress for obvious reasons, so add smaller tangs instead.

Six Line Wrasse

The Six Line Wrasse is a very attractive fish that you’ll find as a loved pet in many places. They are usually 1 to 2 inches big but can even grow to 3 to 4 inches in length when they are fully grown. These fish are also easier to keep and also enjoy with some live rock around them.

Behavior 

These fish are generally peaceful if they are introduced to the tank last. But they can be semi-aggressive if put with other wrasses or similar fish. A lot of coral reef fish are known for being aggressive in the way that they attack any fish with similar color or behavior.

Wrasses’ aggression may not always be brutal and can only be chasing and charging as well, but they can also at times injure other fish. 

Should I get a six line wrasse? 

A six-line wrasse by itself is always a good idea to keep because they are generally reef-safe and also a beautiful addition to the tank because of how pretty this fish is. It is generally not very problematic either, so if you’re getting a six-line wrasse by itself, then surely go ahead. 

Do Clownfish and Six Line Wrasse get along? 

If you’re deciding on adding a six-line wrasse with a clownfish, then that is a completely different story. It is not as simple as a yes or no question where you can give an answer that would suit all kinds of situations regarding the two fish. There are multiple factors to be considered when thinking of putting the two fish together in the same tank. 

Specie

First of all, different species of clownfish are different in how aggressive they are as some are considered meaner than others, whereas others are found to be calmer and politer. So while some wrasse may be good with some clown species, not all six line wrasse can be the best of friends with all clownfish.

Age 

Other than the specific species, the age of the fish is found to be a factor as well. If the two fish are said to be generally compatible, then it is the younger fish that is being discussed. A mature six-line wrasse is found to be much more aggressive than a younger wrasse. 

Tank Size 

Is tank size important in determining compatibility? Well, obviously, why wouldn’t it? You even throw two humans together in close proximity for too long, and they’ll eventually end up fighting and growing fed up with one another. 

The same is the case with fish. They need their own personal space is as well and if not provided that, they may prove to be bothersome to each other and then, of course, you. There are some rules relating to the amount of fish you have kept that help determine the size your fish tank should at least be.   

How to choose a tank size

When choosing tank size, there are a few things that need to be considered. The very first and most obvious is the amount and the type of each fish. All fish need their own space, and generally, the more they have to them, the better they’ll get along with other fish. 

Territorial fish need even more space than the normal ones, but the general rule is one inch of fish per net gallon of tank capacity. It is also important to understand that no matter how big a tank or an aquarium may be to us, it’s still small for the fish as it is only a fraction of their actual natural habitat. 

The second factor to think about is the dimensions of the tank. Is the tank wider or taller? This can mean all the difference for the fish living inside. A wider tank will be better for more active fish as they’ll get more space to swim around, whereas taller tanks will be better for lazier fish.