Do pencil wrasses tolerate other wrasse species?

[a.browning]

I recently acquired a Royal Pencil Wrasse, who is eating well and in great health. I know about their poor track record, so we will see how he does. So far, so good. However, I was curious as to whether they would be compatible with other wrasse species. I have read mixed results on this topic, but would love to keep some fairys or flashers with him. It's hard to find information on the pencil wrasses in general. This would be in a 55 gallon aquarium. Thanks for the help!

 

[Hyde77]

My pencil gets along with my cleaner wrasse. No experience with any others.

 

[snorvich]

They are, by the way, prolific jumpers.

 

[nonimmigrant]

They are, by the way, prolific jumpers.

+1 and accurate too. I have finger holes in my glass paneling that covers the SPS tank, my male went straight thru and I had dried pencil when I got back from work. :sad1:

 

[a.browning]

Yep, that's what I've heard. Thanks for the pointer though. The top has a wooden enclosed canopy with eggcrate covering any gaps. He's a fat fish (especially for a pencil wrasse) and I do not see him fitting through the eggcrate, hopefully! Any experiences with fairies? I'm pretty sure they do fine but I read on one website that they may not tolerate other wrasses.

 

[vanvelzen]

I have mine together with three Paracheilus, three Cirrhilabrus, one Bodianus and one Macropharyngodon without ANY issues in a 250 Gallon tank. According to my experience, it is one of the most peaceful wrasses; never bothering any other fish.
But as mentioned before: a jumper of Olympic proportions, so make sure to have precautions in place.

 

[snorvich]

Egg crate is not a good barrier to jumping.

 

[29reef]

Egg crate is not a good barrier to jumping.

+1 that wrasse will go right through it.


Your tank is a little small for groups of fish, what else is in the tank?