McCosker's Flasher Wrasse - Paracheilinus mccoskeri
McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus mccoskeri)
The McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse is a vibrant, active marine wrasse prized for its brilliant orange-red body, electric blue striping and elegant flashing displays. Males are especially striking, developing elongated finnage and intensified colours during courtship, while females remain more subdued. In the wild, this species lives along outer reef slopes over rubble, algae and coral, where it is found in small mixed-sex groups. In aquaria it is a lively but generally peaceful fish that does best in a mature marine system with swimming room, rockwork and a secure lid.
Common Name:
McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse. It is also sometimes sold as the Bluestripe Flasher Wrasse.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Paracheilinus mccoskeri
Maximum Size:
Up to 8 cm in length. FishBase lists a maximum length of 8.0 cm TL, while trade references place larger sale specimens at just over 3 inches / 8.25 cm.
Water Type:
Marine.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found in the Indo-West Pacific, typically along outer reef slopes above coral, rubble or algae, often at depths of roughly 5–50 metres.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
Temperament:
Peaceful. This species is generally community-friendly, but it can be easily bullied by aggressive or boisterous tankmates, so it is best kept with other calm marine fish.
Diet:
Carnivorous / planktivorous. Offer a varied diet of vitamin-enriched mysis, enriched brineshrimp and other meaty marine foods, along with quality marine pellets or flakes. Regular feeding helps support colour and activity.
Minimum Tank Size:
210 litres minimum is a sensible long-term recommendation, based on trade guidance of 50–55 gallons.
Behaviour & Activity:
An active open-water wrasse that spends much of the day swimming near the lower water column and weaving through rockwork. Males may “flash” their fins and colours during courtship or display behaviour, and the species is often seen naturally in small harems with females outnumbering males.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
This species is widely regarded as an excellent reef fish and is not generally known for damaging corals or bothering desirable invertebrates.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a well-established marine aquarium with plenty of rockwork, cracks and crevices for shelter. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as flasher wrasses are known jumpers. Unlike some wrasses, flasher wrasses do not require sand to bury and often rest in rockwork at night.
Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate marine keepers. This is an inference based on retailer guidance describing the species as easy, hardy, peaceful and well suited to established reef aquaria, while still needing appropriate tankmates and a covered tank.
Availability:
Occasional in trade.
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.
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McCosker's Flasher Wrasse - Paracheilinus mccoskeri
McCosker's Flasher Wrasse - Paracheilinus mccoskeri
McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus mccoskeri)
The McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse is a vibrant, active marine wrasse prized for its brilliant orange-red body, electric blue striping and elegant flashing displays. Males are especially striking, developing elongated finnage and intensified colours during courtship, while females remain more subdued. In the wild, this species lives along outer reef slopes over rubble, algae and coral, where it is found in small mixed-sex groups. In aquaria it is a lively but generally peaceful fish that does best in a mature marine system with swimming room, rockwork and a secure lid.
Common Name:
McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse. It is also sometimes sold as the Bluestripe Flasher Wrasse.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Paracheilinus mccoskeri
Maximum Size:
Up to 8 cm in length. FishBase lists a maximum length of 8.0 cm TL, while trade references place larger sale specimens at just over 3 inches / 8.25 cm.
Water Type:
Marine.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found in the Indo-West Pacific, typically along outer reef slopes above coral, rubble or algae, often at depths of roughly 5–50 metres.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
Temperament:
Peaceful. This species is generally community-friendly, but it can be easily bullied by aggressive or boisterous tankmates, so it is best kept with other calm marine fish.
Diet:
Carnivorous / planktivorous. Offer a varied diet of vitamin-enriched mysis, enriched brineshrimp and other meaty marine foods, along with quality marine pellets or flakes. Regular feeding helps support colour and activity.
Minimum Tank Size:
210 litres minimum is a sensible long-term recommendation, based on trade guidance of 50–55 gallons.
Behaviour & Activity:
An active open-water wrasse that spends much of the day swimming near the lower water column and weaving through rockwork. Males may “flash” their fins and colours during courtship or display behaviour, and the species is often seen naturally in small harems with females outnumbering males.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
This species is widely regarded as an excellent reef fish and is not generally known for damaging corals or bothering desirable invertebrates.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a well-established marine aquarium with plenty of rockwork, cracks and crevices for shelter. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as flasher wrasses are known jumpers. Unlike some wrasses, flasher wrasses do not require sand to bury and often rest in rockwork at night.
Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate marine keepers. This is an inference based on retailer guidance describing the species as easy, hardy, peaceful and well suited to established reef aquaria, while still needing appropriate tankmates and a covered tank.
Availability:
Occasional in trade.
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.
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus mccoskeri)
The McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse is a vibrant, active marine wrasse prized for its brilliant orange-red body, electric blue striping and elegant flashing displays. Males are especially striking, developing elongated finnage and intensified colours during courtship, while females remain more subdued. In the wild, this species lives along outer reef slopes over rubble, algae and coral, where it is found in small mixed-sex groups. In aquaria it is a lively but generally peaceful fish that does best in a mature marine system with swimming room, rockwork and a secure lid.
Common Name:
McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse. It is also sometimes sold as the Bluestripe Flasher Wrasse.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Paracheilinus mccoskeri
Maximum Size:
Up to 8 cm in length. FishBase lists a maximum length of 8.0 cm TL, while trade references place larger sale specimens at just over 3 inches / 8.25 cm.
Water Type:
Marine.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found in the Indo-West Pacific, typically along outer reef slopes above coral, rubble or algae, often at depths of roughly 5–50 metres.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
Temperament:
Peaceful. This species is generally community-friendly, but it can be easily bullied by aggressive or boisterous tankmates, so it is best kept with other calm marine fish.
Diet:
Carnivorous / planktivorous. Offer a varied diet of vitamin-enriched mysis, enriched brineshrimp and other meaty marine foods, along with quality marine pellets or flakes. Regular feeding helps support colour and activity.
Minimum Tank Size:
210 litres minimum is a sensible long-term recommendation, based on trade guidance of 50–55 gallons.
Behaviour & Activity:
An active open-water wrasse that spends much of the day swimming near the lower water column and weaving through rockwork. Males may “flash” their fins and colours during courtship or display behaviour, and the species is often seen naturally in small harems with females outnumbering males.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
This species is widely regarded as an excellent reef fish and is not generally known for damaging corals or bothering desirable invertebrates.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a well-established marine aquarium with plenty of rockwork, cracks and crevices for shelter. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as flasher wrasses are known jumpers. Unlike some wrasses, flasher wrasses do not require sand to bury and often rest in rockwork at night.
Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate marine keepers. This is an inference based on retailer guidance describing the species as easy, hardy, peaceful and well suited to established reef aquaria, while still needing appropriate tankmates and a covered tank.
Availability:
Occasional in trade.
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.
