Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse - Paracheilinus carpenteri

Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus carpenteri)

Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse is a colourful and highly active marine wrasse admired for its orange to red body, blue markings and spectacular courtship displays. Mature males develop elongated dorsal-fin filaments and can intensify their colour dramatically when displaying to females. Peaceful, reef safe and relatively small, this species is an excellent choice for established marine aquariums with calm tankmates, open swimming space and a tightly fitted lid.

Common Name:
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse, Carpenter's Wrasse, Pink Flasher

Scientific Name (Latin):
Paracheilinus carpenteri

Maximum Size:
Approximately 8 cm

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse occurs in the Western Pacific, including the Philippines, Taiwan, Iriomotejima, northern Bali and Flores, with records extending to Tonga.

It inhabits the bases of steep outer reef slopes, typically swimming above coral and rubble at depths of approximately 27–45 metres. Wild individuals naturally form schools and remain close to reef structure for shelter.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Nitrate: Low and stable
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm

Temperament:
Peaceful to Semi-Aggressive

Carpenter's Flasher Wrasses are generally peaceful towards unrelated reef fish and work particularly well in calm marine community aquariums.

Males can become territorial towards other flasher wrasses, especially competing males. When keeping several individuals, a single male with multiple females is generally the most natural social arrangement.

Diet:
Carnivore / Planktivore

Offer a varied diet of small meaty marine foods including frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped krill and other appropriately sized foods.

Quality marine pellets and flakes may also be accepted once established.

Several smaller feeds throughout the day are beneficial because flasher wrasses naturally feed on small planktonic prey from the water column.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 200 litres

Although relatively small, Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse is an energetic swimmer and benefits from generous open-water space alongside substantial reef structure.

Behaviour & Activity:
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse is an active daytime fish that spends much of its time swimming above and around reef structure.

Mature males are particularly impressive during courtship. Their body colour intensifies and several dorsal-fin rays become elongated into prominent filaments, which are displayed while the male makes rapid swimming passes around females.

Unlike sand-burying wrasses, Paracheilinus species retreat into rockwork and sheltered crevices to sleep, so a deep sand bed is not essential.

Provide plenty of open swimming space together with caves, overhangs and secure rockwork.

A tightly fitted aquarium lid or mesh cover is essential, as flasher wrasses are highly capable jumpers.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe

Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse is generally considered reef safe and does not normally damage healthy corals, clams or established ornamental invertebrates.

Its natural feeding behaviour centres on small planktonic prey rather than coral tissue, making it particularly well suited to mixed and coral-dominated reef systems.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Provide a mature, stable marine aquarium with excellent water quality, good oxygenation and plenty of open swimming space.

A secure lid is one of the most important requirements for this species because flasher wrasses can jump through surprisingly small openings.

Avoid highly aggressive or boisterous tankmates that may intimidate this relatively peaceful wrasse or prevent it from feeding comfortably.

When keeping multiple flasher wrasses, provide sufficient space and visual barriers. Groups containing one male with several females can encourage natural courtship and flashing behaviour.

Several small meals throughout the day are preferable to one large feeding and help maintain healthy body condition and strong colouration.

Suitable for:
Intermediate

Availability:
Regularly available

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.