Royal Pencil Wrasse (Pseudojuloides Severnsi)

The Royal Pencil Wrasse is a slender, elegant fish known for its vivid coloration and graceful swimming style. Its body displays a stunning blend of pink, red, and orange hues with green accents, making it a striking addition to marine aquariums. This wrasse is active, peaceful, and generally reef-safe, but requires specific tank conditions to thrive. A secure lid is essential, as this species is a known jumper, especially when startled. It also requires a soft sand substrate to allow for its natural burrowing behavior, which helps it feel safe.

Care Information

• Maximum Size: Up to 5 inches.
• Tank Size: 50 gallons minimum; requires a tank with ample rockwork, open swimming space, and a soft sandy substrate for burrowing.
• Diet: Carnivorous; primarily feeds on small meaty foods, such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood. A varied diet that includes high-quality frozen foods will help maintain its health and coloration.
• Water Temp: 72-78°F.
• Salinity: 1.020-1.025.
• Aggression: Peaceful; generally gets along well with other peaceful tankmates. However, avoid housing with overly aggressive or predatory fish.
• Skill Level: Intermediate; requires stable water conditions, regular feedings, and a secure environment with a sand bed.
• Reef Compatibility: Invert-safe; the Royal Pencil Wrasse is generally safe with corals and invertebrates, though it may pick at very small crustaceans, so caution is advised with tiny shrimp species.

Special Requirements - Sand and Lid
The Royal Pencil Wrasse is a burrower and will dive into the sand to sleep or seek shelter, so a soft, sandy substrate is essential. This wrasse is also a known jumper, especially when startled, so a secure, tightly fitted lid is necessary to prevent escapes.

Compatibility
This wrasse is peaceful and does well with other tankmates in reef setups, provided they are non-aggressive. It is generally safe with invertebrates and corals, making it a suitable choice for reef tanks, although small decorative shrimp should be introduced with caution.

Coloration

• Indo-Pacific Region: The Royal Pencil Wrasse exhibits a stunning array of pink, red, and orange with green accents. This unique coloration, combined with its slim, pencil-like shape, makes it a visually captivating addition to any aquarium​.

Typical Habitat

• Distribution: Found throughout the Indo-Pacific, particularly in reef environments with sandy substrates where it can burrow. The Royal Pencil Wrasse prefers established tanks with stable conditions, sandy areas for resting, and rockwork for exploration.