Pencil Wrasse thread

I've had one of these for about a month, was very shy at first. Mine eats anything that is put in the tank but it took about a week and a half before he started eating with gusto. I believe that he is reef compatible for the most part but may go after hermit crabs. I'm not 100% sure yet as I am holding him in a 65 fowlr until my reef is set up. Defintely need sand, I was surprised as to how deep in the sand they retreat, definitely a jumper and is a docile fish (minds his own business)
 
I'm not really sure how long I've had my Pseudojuloides severnsi.. When the search is up, I'll find out though. I know I've had him over a month, since I drew him in my avatar which was done a month or so ago, and I had him at least (I think) a month before that. Havent had him very long, but he's doing very well.

He sleeps in the sand, and I havent seen him pick on crabs, snails, shrimp, or anything. He does however, constantly take in mouthfulls of sand and spits it out in search for pods. He eats everything though.

No real special care for this fish in particular.. Before purchasing I researched, I knew they're hard to keep, etc. But it seems that everyone on here who's kept one, has had good luck with Pseudojuloides severnsi. He's in my reef though, if that matters.
 
Ok, search finally worked and I've had him for just under 2 months. I should also mention that he makes a really loud clicking sound you could hear two rooms away when he eats. So loud, at first I thought my pistol shrimps had risen from the dead! Well, it surprised me at first :o .
 
Interesting. While I was watching some Pencil Wrasses in an aquarium I heard some pops. I was told it was a pistol shrimp. I think it was the Wrasse.
 
Gary,

in Europe P.servensi and P. crassinius are regularly in trade and I keep my male P.servensi in a 320g since about 3 years. I had a pair, but the first female converted to a male and forced the male to jump out. Second female was bullied buy my 5 sixline wrasses to much and did make it. With the remaining mael, no problems, no harm on corals etc. he is a model citizen. But indeed they are real jumpers! My main tank is not covered and he tried already several times to fly. And that also I have a tank whcih is with 1 Mter rather deep. Mostly he hits the lamps and falls back but once he got rescued from our house sitter on the ground - before the cats did get him.

The only think they really require is a deep enough sand bed where they can dig into for sleeping / hidding. Mine etas all form pleets to brine and mysis.

I happend to see P.servensi in the natural habitat in the Phillippines where they lived in 10 - 15 meter on sand coral mix. A few branch Acroporas and e few stones, but not really a corals reef. They live in a harem structure where one male controls up to 15 females.
 
Peter- a big thanks for adding a post to this thread. I was hoping you had some experience with these Wrasses. I was wondering if other Wrasses might bully Pseudojuloides, and you've helped me answer that question.
Are Pencil Wrasses a threat to Tridacna clams or snails?
 
About other wrasse tankmates, I keep the pencil with a m/f pair of radiant wrasses without any aggression between them.
 
Gary,

My big turbo snails are not effected. I have no Stomatella in my main tank any more. But these have been killed by my shrimps before the servensi was brought in. I also do not keep any clams ( I have a Chelmon).

So to both questions I cant share any personal experience, but as I moderate the german fish forum I am sure I would have heard of attacks against Tridacna if they would oocure regularly.
 
the LFS I work at has a tricolor pencil wrasse (that was the name on the invoice, I confirmed it is a pencil wrasse but not sure of the scientific name). We had it in a 30 gallon for three weeks. It seemingly had no trouble settling in, it eats all foods with gusto. I have since moved it into a 180 mixed reef with a few tridacnid clams. It does not bother the clams, but I have seen it take a few shots at astrea snails and hermits. It still eats everything and aside from the snails and hermits leaves everything alone. Its only tankmates are a genicanthus zebra angel and a hectors goby.
 
I have one Gary - got him in a pretty run down shop (not far from where Greg P. lives btw) and I was shocked by how pink his head is. Blew me away.

The lady had no idea what was going on, but was kind enough to let me catch the fish. Pretty sure it's a male - it's vastly brighter pink on its head than any picture of one I've ever seen.

I wasn't thinking very well because I put a bunch of snails in the week before, but so far no carnage.

I have a female cirrh. rubromarginatus that harassed the severnsi after the first day, I thought the pencil died, then it came out. Some days it's on display, some days it hides. I feed the tank whenever it's out.

Previously I had another pencil wrasse for 6 months but haven't seen it in a while. I added a trio of cirrhabilus rubromarginatus about a year ago and that disrupted my whole community... much stress and dying. :(

ALWAYS spitting out sand... definitely a DSB animal, but most wrasses are, right?
 
Oh man.... I just got one. I thought wrasse is easy to keep. Hopefully my is OK.. I really like the fish. Great color..

Here is the picture of my..

fish7fj.jpg
 
Most wrasses are fairly easy to keep but Pencil Wrasses are thought to be very difficult. And your experince says "Newbie", so good luck!!!
 
Funny I came accross this thead! Iwas just looking at one of these at the LFS today. They had just gotten 2 in from Java, put one in the display tank and sold the other. The one she had was green with a blue and yellow stripe right down the side with the pink head. I was thinking of getting one for my 55G since my Lubbox wrasse died from Hurricane wilma. Anything I should look for when purchasing other then to make sure they are eating?
 
Just don't buy it .... I haven't seen my after 4 hours it went into the tank.... I don't know where it's at... Not on the floor or in the tank.... I'm tearing the tank down tomorrow to find it... :(
 
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