Royal Pencil Wrasse

[Mr. Fish]

I saw one at the LFS the other day. It had ich on its fins so I didn't get it, but it sure was beautiful. There isn't a lot of info on them, but it sounds like they are reef safe and grow to about 4 inches. Do you think one would be ok for my tank? You can see my tank info in my sig.

 

[Jdbrine]

I saw one at the LFS the other day. It had ich on its fins so I didn't get it, but it sure was beautiful. There isn't a lot of info on them, but it sounds like they are reef safe and grow to about 4 inches. Do you think one would be ok for my tank? You can see my tank info in my sig.

They are also known as black hat pencil wrasse. Beautiful fish, but can be tough to get eating. they are not commonly seen in the trade.......

 

[el aguila]

Many pencil wrasses are difficult to keep - need to be fed often.

I had one before I had an auto feeder and was traveling alot. It began loosing its color and eventually went MIA. Was one of my favorite fish great looking.

 

[Mr. Fish]

I feed new life spectrum once a day. Would that not be ok for the wrasse.

 

[Toddrtrex]

While I like NLS pellets, that wouldn't be nearly enough if that is all that you feed.

 

[Mr. Fish]

While I like NLS pellets, that wouldn't be nearly enough if that is all that you feed.

What would I need to do different?

 

[Toddrtrex]

What would I need to do different?

First, would need to find a healthy one that is actually eating prepared foods. Then you would need to feed more then once a day -- 3 would be better, and offer it a varied diet.

 

[el aguila]

First, would need to find a healthy one that is actually eating prepared foods. Then you would need to feed more then once a day -- 3 would be better, and offer it a varied diet.

+1 cyclopeeze, Rods, mysis, etc

When i bought mine the LFS told me that it was a different kind of wrasse. I felt bad once I bought it and found out their feeding requirements, because I knew that I'ld have trouble meeting them.

 

[Mr. Fish]

I am home during the day, so I can do multiple feedings no problem. Are they safe with clams? My clam is the most important thing to me. If I feed mysis in the morning, new life spectrum in the afternoon and rod's at night does that sound good?

 

[small alien]

That should be enough food for most fish though I've never kept that wrasse. I keep pipefish and dragonets going strong on 2-3 feedings most days. That is a beautiful fish.

 

[Mr. Fish]

Does anyone know if it would bug my clam? My calm is precious to me and I don't want to risk anything.

 

[Dejavu]

You shouldn't have any problem with it with your clam or any other inverts. The problem with this fish, is that they seldom eat. Most come in stress and have damaged mouths from shipping. I wouldn't buy one unless it was eating well for at least a week.

 

[Mr. Fish]

You shouldn't have any problem with it with your clam or any other inverts. The problem with this fish, is that they seldom eat. Most come in stress and have damaged mouths from shipping. I wouldn't buy one unless it was eating well for at least a week.

My LFS is willing to get it eating new life spectrum pellets before I buy it.

 

[Dizzle63]

My experience has been that they take to frozen food very well. I feed Rod's food and PE mysis. The problem that I have had with these is that they simply don't ship well. Fish that come in looking very healthy simply die for unexplained reasons even after eating aggressively. IME, they are beautiful, but even the best looking of specimens can die for unexpected reasons.

 

[lilalove]

This pencil wrasse has been the only impulse, uneducated purchase I've made since I started this hobby in 2000. It was simply stunning at the LFS. They had it labeled "Fairy wrasse" and I bought it for $15. It started eating for me right away, and in the display was always cruising. I let algae grow on the back glass, and it was always foraging back there, picking at the algae for pods and such. I fed the tank twice a day and it was really vibrant, fat, and healthy. It was one of my faves, until I found it dried up behind my tank one day. I was depressed for a couple of weeks. Be sure to have a tank cover if you get one. Mine never bothered any of my clams. They really are beautiful fish.