Care Level: Advanced

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: Yes

General Description: The Royal Pencil Wrasse, also known as the Black Hat Pencil Wrasse, Multicolor Pencil Wrasse, or Severn’s Pencil Wrasse, has a wide distribution across the Indo-West Pacific from Indonesia, Sri Lanka and north to the Ryukyu Islands. Pencil wrasses are seldomly available in the aquarium trade due to both the difficulty of collecting them and with the low success rate of collected individuals acclimating from importation. A sexually dimorphic species, mature males have a large, dark blotch from their eyes to the middle of their back, with variations of blue/green and yellow horizontal stripes that end at the base of the blue-colored tail fin. Females on the other hand are an overall orange color with transparent fins; it is unlikely females will be collected or available, since the males are much more striking. The care for Pseudojuloides wrasses has been described as similar to that of Anampses wrasses or parrotfish, which require exceptional dedication and attention from the hobbyist in order to overcome their finicky eating behavior and overall sensitivity to an artificial environment. Like many other Labrids, the Royal pencil wrasse requires a moderately-sized to fine sandy substrate in order to be able to bury themselves in. It is very common for your newly introduced wrasse to immediately bury themselves once released into the aquarium. An adult Chiseltooth wrasse can reach a size of approximately 4-1/2″. Note: We have found through our 28 day quarantine process that allowing Royal pencil wrasses time to recover and adjust from importation is extremely important. Here, we are then able to also focus on providing the appropriate nutrition of these wrasses, setting up our individual Royal pencil wrasses for better success in your aquarium.

Diet Requirements: Pencil wrasses are carnivores, actively hunting small snails, worms, shrimp and pods. A diet consisting of various meaty preparations such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and other mixed frozen foods that also contain algae, such as spirulina, will maintain optimal health and coloration. We highly encourage soaking frozen foods in vitamin and fatty acid supplements, as these wrasses have very high metabolisms. Multiple, small feedings per day rather than one large feeding can also help and in turn create more of a natural environment for a Royal pencil wrasse as it would feed in the wild. An aquarium that a Royal pencil wrasse is introduced into should have a healthy “pod” population, as to offer a natural food resource to the fish while it settles in.

Care Requirements: An minimum 75 gallon aquarium with a 3″ sandbed at the very least is needed for a Royal pencil wrasse. The aquarium may need to be upgraded accordingly as this species grows to give it ample swimming space. A Royal pencil wrasse should not be introduced into a biologically immature aquarium because it is absolutely intolerable of nitrite or ammonia spikes. A mature aquarium also offers the abundant microinvertebrate and crustacean fauna (such as amphiopods) that a Royal pencil wrasse can forage on. Make certain that few other species in the aquarium will out compete your Royal pencil wrasse for these “pods.” A Royal pencil wrasse will enjoy a variety of rock work and crevices to swim through and around while they hunt. Such live rock arrangements can also help to make it feel secure and encourage more outgoing behavior. Given their peaceful nature, a Royal pencil wrasse should not be kept with aggressive species and they should also not be introduced into an aquarium with established tank mates that may intimidate it. The main mode of success with this species is to overcome import stress (which we tackle in our 28 quarantine), and then ensure your specimen feels comfortable enough in its new home to feed regularly. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.

Purchase Size: 

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.