The Wrasse Lover's Thread!

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Babi and vivien waiting for lunch
IMG_9246.jpeg


Wanted to show the leucoxanthis but he is still in the sand so I’ll show 2 of the 3 bartlets I grabbed today at the lfs

IMG_9242.jpeg
 
Deltec
Am I that insane to the point I may have just identified a female pencil wrasse? Yes. Yes I am.
D0A7C186-894D-4A8D-8A8E-B275B9C25B51.jpeg

Thanks to that tiny purple marking in her cheek I have managed to ID her! Okay, how did I do it?
I started with process of elimination - Getting down to what species are native to Kenya. That was 4 species with the possibility of reaching Kenya - Erythrops, Edwardi, Polackorum and Labrynthus.
Now I checked through the females and noticed Polackorum females have a yellow head (I’ve seen females before of this species so I knew already something was off), the edwardi is most common in Seychelles and Mauritius so that was highly unlikely.

Now, I was left with the Edwardi and Labrynthus Pencils. These have been a pain to tell apart but only today have I found the key! It’s that tiny purple marking. You never think that minute details may just be the breaking point but they often are. So, out of the Edwardi and Labrynthus females the only one with a purple cheek is the Labrynthus! So, I am 90% sure I have a Labrynthus Pencil Wrasse. I just need her to transition and confirm it.
 
Orphek OR3 reef aquarium LED bar
i cant think said:
Am I that insane to the point I may have just identified a female pencil wrasse? Yes. Yes I am.
D0A7C186-894D-4A8D-8A8E-B275B9C25B51.jpeg

Thanks to that tiny purple marking in her cheek I have managed to ID her! Okay, how did I do it?
I started with process of elimination - Getting down to what species are native to Kenya. That was 4 species with the possibility of reaching Kenya - Erythrops, Edwardi, Polackorum and Labrynthus.
Now I checked through the females and noticed Polackorum females have a yellow head (I’ve seen females before of this species so I knew already something was off), the edwardi is most common in Seychelles and Mauritius so that was highly unlikely.

Now, I was left with the Edwardi and Labrynthus Pencils. These have been a pain to tell apart but only today have I found the key! It’s that tiny purple marking. You never think that minute details may just be the breaking point but they often are. So, out of the Edwardi and Labrynthus females the only one with a purple cheek is the Labrynthus! So, I am 90% sure I have a Labrynthus Pencil Wrasse. I just need her to transition and confirm it.
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The male coloration is stunning on the species. But I really like the pink
 
felda001 said:
The male coloration is stunning on the species. But I really like the pink
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I love both colours and would happily have a Pencil dominated tank. They just have so many colours that are odd for other wrasses.
 
I’m both excited and terrified for tomorrow! I’m hoping I have a choati land safely at the LFS.
Then it’s the hurdle of what to try feeding, I’ll probably start with blood worm as my other leopards all loved that.
 
Ecoscape Reef Rock
i cant think said:
I’m both excited and terrified for tomorrow! I’m hoping I have a choati land safely at the LFS.
Then it’s the hurdle of what to try feeding, I’ll probably start with blood worm as my other leopards all loved that.
Click to expand...
As I’ve said before the fact there is no word for nervous excitement is a failing of the English language. I will be feeling the same on Thursday when my 4 fish arrive.
 
Top Shelf Aquatics
Slocke said:
As I’ve said before the fact there is no word for nervous excitement is a failing of the English language. I will be feeling the same on Thursday when my 4 fish arrive.
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I think it should be called the wrasse attack, I almost never have a feeling of fear with excitement about other fish except wrasses
 
Slocke said:
As I’ve said before the fact there is no word for nervous excitement is a failing of the English language. I will be feeling the same on Thursday when my 4 fish arrive.
Click to expand...
It’s chattering. My aussies do that when waiting for a bone or the ball to be thrown. Their jaw or leg will chatter.
 
Tcook said:
It’s chattering. My aussies do that when waiting for a bone or the ball to be thrown. Their jaw or leg will chatter.
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I call that “rabbit footing” :face-with-tears-of-joy: . Chattering to me is the sound cats make when they are overly excited for a bird.
 
Deltec
Was at work sitting next to my empty observation tank and noticed something

IMG_9264.jpeg


It must have stuck to the outside of the net and made it back into the tank when I went back to net the leucoxanthus. I spent 30 minutes on Friday looking for this jumped fish.
 
I've been pleasantly surprised by my splendens pencil wrasse. This fish is a dog. I enter the room and it acts like I've been gone forever, zooming back and forth and literally bobbing at the surface when I look over the tank. It's had a positive effect in the pintail fairy, too, as the pintail is now also becoming rather friendly. Might get some pics tomorrow.
 
JoJosReef said:
I've been pleasantly surprised by my splendens pencil wrasse. This fish is a dog. I enter the room and it acts like I've been gone forever, zooming back and forth and literally bobbing at the surface when I look over the tank. It's had a positive effect in the pintail fairy, too, as the pintail is now also becoming rather friendly. Might get some pics tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Exactly how my Edwardi and Female Pencil behave! They just never don’t want attention.
 
Tidal Gardens
Top Shelf Aquatics
They’re all looking better now. The wrasse are smaller than what I hoped for. I asked for ~5” and they are 3.5” and 4” I think. Thoughts on whether I should give one to my LFS if they both survive?
@Fishfreak2009 @i cant think this seems a you question
 
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