Paracheilinus angulatus

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Facts
Latin name Paracheilinus angulatus - Randall & Lubbock, 1981
Local name Angular flasher
Family Labridae - Paracheilinus
Origin Australia, Indonesia, Central/West Pacific
Max length 7 cm (2.8")
As aquarium fish
Minimum volume 200 l (53 gal)
Hardiness Average
Suitable for aquarium Suitable with care
Reef safe Always reef safe
Aggressiveness Might be aggressive towards similar species
Feed
Recommended Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...)
Zooplankton (Cyclops, pods...)
Beware of
Jumps out of open aquaria

This species is known to jump out of open aquaria.

Keep in mind
Requires a varied diet

This species must be fed with an appropriately varied diet.

Sensitive during transportation

This species is very sensitive during transportation and acclimatizing into the aquarium.

Likes to hide at first

These fish may well hide themselves for a while, whilst getting acclimatized.

Do not disturb the fish while acclimating because it will prolong the process.

Frequent feeding

This fish requires feeding several times a day, especially when newly added.

When the fish can find its natural food in the aquarium it requires less frequent feeding. 

Hiding places

This species needs good hiding places, for example, between live rocks.

Multiple variants

This species comes in multiple color variations which can make identification problematic.

A pair, or one male with several females

This species functions best as a pair (one male, one female), or one male with several females.

Hermaphroditic

This species can change gender from female to male.

When a male is needed, a female changes sex and takes on the role.

Can be aggressive

This species can be aggressive when kept together with fish that are very similar, or if they are not provided with adequate space.

Descriptions and further reading
Description

Recognized by the sharp edged dorsal fin and the missing filaments.

Genus description (Paracheilinus)

Flasher Wrasses (Paracheilinus) are generally very colourful and spend most of their time out in the water column. They are peaceful and a little shy and therefore shouldn't be kept with aggressive species.

Males are normally more eye catching and may have longer filaments on their dorsal fin. In captivity it can be tricky to keep their colour and they need to be provided with a variety of high quality foods.

They are not normally very choosy and eat most foods, although it can take a day or two before they start eating, when they are first introduced.

When these Wrasses are kept in a group of several females and one or two males, the latter will show off their colours more often. If the tank is less than 125 gal (500 liters) only one male should be kept.

At night they sleep in a mucus covered cocoon between rocks.

Several species in this genus resemble each other closely, it is difficult to distinguish them. In practice this is not a problem as they resemble each other also closely in their behaviour and demeanour. There are also hybrids between the species which makes distinguishing them very challenging, as well.

When one chooses these fish it pays to check the area around the mouth, as they can be injured during transport, which can lead to infections.
It is also important to make sure they feed actively.

Family description (Labridae)

Wrasses are nearly always seen in reef aquaria, since many of the species are both attractive and useful in battling a range of unwanted invertebrates like i.e. flatworms, pyramide snails.
These fish live of everything from zooplankton to large crustaceans, sea urchins and the like.

The needs and behaviour of Wrasses vary greatly, so it is vital to familiarize oneself with the specific species before buying one.

FishBase
Distribution Western Central Pacific: Philippines. Also reported from Indonesia.
English common names Royal flasher-wrasse
Angular flasher
References and further reading

About references

Bob Fenner. Flasher Wrasses, the Genus Paracheilinus - Wet Web Media - (English)
Hiroyuki Tanaka. 2006. Flasher Wrasses: Recently Recognized in the Hobby - Reefkeeping Magazine - (English)

Scott W. Michael. 2009. Wrasses and Parrotfishes (Reef Fishes Series Book 5) - TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)