Black Patch Pencil Wrasse
Pseudojuloides mesostigma
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
|---|
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Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Expert |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 70 gallons |
| Max Size | 3 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Black Patch Pencil Wrasse (Pseudojuloides mesostigma) is a slender reef wrasse known for its streamlined profile and a distinct dark side marking. It is found across parts of the Western Pacific, and it’s most at home in mature reef aquariums with plenty of live rock and open swimming lanes.
What You’ll Observe:
- Low, gliding laps along rockwork and over sand, with quick darts between areas
- A preference for spending the day weaving through reef structure rather than staying in the open
- Regular “picking” behavior as it searches the rock and sand surface for tiny prey items
- A predictable evening routine, often using the sandbed as a nightly resting spot
To help it settle in, provide a fine sandbed and plenty of established live rock for natural foraging, plus a tight-fitting lid for confident, active swimming. Offer small meaty foods in multiple feedings to match its fast metabolism and browsing style.
Will it use the sandbed like other sand-sleeping wrasses?
Many keepers report pencil wrasses use the sandbed as a regular “lights out” resting place, especially once fully settled.
How long does it take to start showing normal, out-in-the-open behavior?
It’s common for this type of wrasse to spend its first days doing shorter laps and staying close to cover, then expand its routes as it learns the tank’s rhythm.
What feeding routine works best once it recognizes prepared foods?
Smaller portions offered more than once per day tends to match how pencil wrasses naturally browse and helps them stay engaged at mealtime.
Does it need a completely sealed lid, or is a canopy with small gaps fine?
Hobbyists frequently treat wrasses as tight-lid fish and aim to close off small openings so the fish can move confidently throughout the tank.
Will it get along with other wrasses if the aquascape has lots of hiding lanes?
Many aquarists focus on adding plenty of “broken line-of-sight” rockwork and introducing wrasses in a thoughtful order so each fish can establish its own routes.
We work with trusted suppliers who keep our specimens healthy and well-fed before shipping.
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