Pencil wrasse

[Lonelyreef]

Has anyone had luck keeping a pencil wrasse I'm picking one up today and I here they are very picky.

 

[eatbreakfast]

How long has it been at where you are getting it from? All of the Pseudojuloides species I have kept have been pretty hardy once they have made it past 2 weeks from being shipped. The ones I have had, both severnsi and cerasinus, have not been picky regarding foods and have been extremely peaceful.

If you have established wrasses in your tank there may be some aggresion towards the pencil wrasse, but nothing too bad, at least with fairys, flashers, and Halichoeres wrasses, Pseudocheilinus wrasses may be a different story.

Once added he may stay buried for a couple of days. Thats completely normal so dont worry if you dont see him.

 

[Lonelyreef]

My lfs ordered me a pair a male and female. The male is doing well and eating everything the female was as well but developed some discoloration on her body so he put her in quarentine. So I'm just picking up the male and waiting to see how the female does. It has been about two weeks since he has had the two so I'm hoping they are ok. I will be drip acclimating him so we shall see

 

[Longnose Hawkfish]

Are pencil wrasse reef safe? Thanks!

 

[eatbreakfast]

Yes, they are reef safe. The exception may be with something the size of sexy shrimp and smaller, but with small hermits and cuc, they are completely safe.

 

[Longnose Hawkfish]

Ok awesome! Thanks so much!

 

[MattL22]

Had one eating like a pig then just disappeared amazing color not sure they can last my Lfs has a bunch ATM I'm gonna add 3 see how they do

 

[Beradd]

pics when u get him home plz!

 

[Longnose Hawkfish]

What are some of their names? Thanks!!!

 

[MattL22]

Here's 1 of mine I have 3 just added few days ago

 

[MattL22]

My favorite fish I've ever owned

 

[Lonelyreef]

I didn't end up getting a royal pencil wrasse but rather a candy pencil wrasse. I still only have the male no female yet but so far so good. When I put him in the tank he didn't even hide at all so I have high hopes. I have read that they are very skiddish but mine gets into it with my maroon clown and he doesn't back down at all.

 

[MattL22]

The issue with these guys is not what I've read I don't have any issues with getting them to eat once I got a hovens wrasse out of tank they r out and about all the time eating pretty much everything I put in!
But..... The last one I had same thing then just disappear outta nowhere so I wanted to try a group well see how it goes

 

[Lonelyreef]

These fish are also from a cooler area to I believe so should be kept in a little cooler tanks. They deffinetely don't do well with aggressive tank mates.

 

[eatbreakfast]

These fish are also from a cooler area to I believe so should be kept in a little cooler tanks. They deffinetely don't do well with aggressive tank mates.

They are actually from the same habitats as many commonly kept fairy wrasses. Regular reef temps will be fine.

 

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

I've tried 4 so far and they eat great and then after about a month.Gone without a trace. I love em but they don't last.

 

[Eienna]

Perhaps they are not robust enough for the flow in an average reef tank?

I just had to dump a powerhead because it was pushing my fish around and tiring them out.

 

[MattL22]

Yes strange they eat like pigs then just disappear

I wonder if they don't get on the right light schedule pretty quick then they just stay buried all the time

 

[Lonelyreef]

Mine never hid like most when i first got him but he doesnt act the same as the rest. Seems very skiddish

 

[jverna1]

I have two a royal pencil wrasse and the other one with the yellow and blue stripes. I have had them both for about 2 months and they eat like pigs but only PE Mysis. They both are out and about all day and retire to the sand at night. The only problem I have with them is they constantly grab sand and spit it out all over my corals but other than that they have a cool personality. Great fish!