Smalltail Pencil Wrasse, Male

(Pseudojuloides polackorum)

Pseudojuloides Wrasse should be added to a well established aquarium with plenty of swimroom. Provide plenty of rockwork with caves and crevices for hiding. A deep sandy bottom should also be provided as Pseudojuloides Wrasse are burrowers, they bury themselves in the sand at night and if they are frightened. Pseudojuloides can be kept with other peaceful tank mates. Pseudojuloides Wrasse may not eat readily when first introduced to the aquarium. If seeing an unwilliness to eat add fortified live mysis or Brine shrimp to their carnivorous diet, fed multiple times daily. Pseudojuloides are not reef safe and will prey on hard shelled invertebrates. May see male and female color differences. Wrasse are hermaphrodites meaning they start as juveniles/females but at some point in their life may turn into a male. Provide an aquarium with a tight fitting lid as they may jump.

The Sidespot Wrasse are also sometimes known as the Black Patch Pencil Wrasse. Not often seen in the aquarium trade. Color may vary depending on maturity of the fish. Females are a pink color with a light yellow stripe across its eye and the anal and dorsal fins have a yellow hue to them. Males are a light green, darker dorsal area and lighter belly. Two light blue stripes running vertically down its body and caudal fin has a thick black stripe and a thin light blue line. Sidespot Wrasse can grow to almost 5".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 50 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

  • Care: CareDifficultDifficult
  • Behavior: BehaviorSocialSocial
  • Diet: DietLive FoodLive Food DietFrozen FoodFrozen Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef HabitatSand FlatSand Flat
  • Light: LightHighHigh