Care of Royal Pencil Wrasse?

[lilalove]

I bought one a while ago because it was pretty, and I had never seen the fish before. I didn't even know what it was called. LFS had it labeled "fairy wrasse". Stupid impulse buy. BUT...I had this guy alive for a couple of years. It ate everything, including algae I had growing on the back glass. I lost it one day when it jumped out. I was so bummed. I've been wanting to try to keep one again now that I have a covered top, but I don't see them available anywhere.

When I ID'd the one I bought before, I was surprised to learn they had such a poor survival rate. My guy was really fat and colorful when I lost him. It would swim in and out of the clumps of dictyota that was going crazy in the tank. I assume looking for pods and other goodies. It was a cool fish.

 

[A. Grandis]

Well, that's a good example.
Thanks very much for posting!!!!
Yes, my tank is covered.

On the side...
Please tell me about the Dictyota:
Species' name, light, phosphates, nitrates, skimmer???
Thanks.

Grandis.

 

[evolved]

Well, that's a good example.
Thanks very much for posting!!!!
Yes, my tank is covered.

On the side...
Please tell me about the Dictyota:
Species' name, light, phosphates, nitrates, skimmer???
Thanks.

Grandis.

I doubt the details of the macro have much relevance to the long term success of that specimen. As pods will live/thrive in almost any macro-algae, I suspect it was simply the food supply (pods) which drew the specimen to the macro most of the time. This likely also helped greatly to sustain the fish, so that part is definitely worth considering.

 

[A. Grandis]

I doubt the details of the macro have much relevance to the long term success of that specimen. As pods will live/thrive in almost any macro-algae, I suspect it was simply the food supply (pods) which drew the specimen to the macro most of the time. This likely also helped greatly to sustain the fish, so that part is definitely worth considering.

Thank evolved!
No, I was asking "on the side".
Just curious about the maintenance of Dictyota in closed system.
Yep, we know the presence of "pods" would help the fish, but I do believe if the fish is eating a variety of good quality artificial foods will be enough.

I believe the stress in the system with the confined space and excess number of fishes, mostly with other wrasses, would be the main reason for low survival rates of the species.

I also believe that the wrong type of set up some how won't allow the fish to thrive (type of substrate, for example).

Grandis.

 

[insanefishguy]

Digging up an old thread... How did you make out, Grandis? I've had mine for a little over a year now. It's changed coloration from male to female a few times. When I added m bathy philus fairly, the pencil disappeared for days. I pulled the bathyphilus and it came back out. Mine eats like a hog. Mysis, new life spectrum, algae clip, but it's favorite is littleneck clams cracked open. Starts a wrasse feeding frenzy every time!

 

[A. Grandis]

Well I didn't have the same luck with mine.
Please go to post #20 for a link to the end of the story.
I'm very glad yours is doing good!!

Grandis.

 

[insanefishguy]

I'm so sorry it didn't make it and for bringing it up....