Polackorum Pencil Wrasse - Pseudojuloides polackorum

Polackorum Pencil Wrasse (Pseudojuloides polackorum)

The Polackorum Pencil Wrasse is a slender and elegant marine wrasse admired for its refined body shape, attractive colouration and active swimming behaviour. Peaceful and best suited to mature reef systems, it benefits from calm tankmates, secure rockwork and a soft sandbed where it can bury itself when resting or frightened. Its relatively specialised care requirements make it most suitable for experienced marine aquarists.

Common Name:
Polackorum Pencil Wrasse

Scientific Name (Latin):
Pseudojuloides polackorum

Maximum Size:
Approximately 10–12 cm

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Polackorum Pencil Wrasse is associated with tropical western Indian Ocean reef environments, where it inhabits coral-rich reefs, rubble zones and sandy areas close to established reef structure.

It spends much of the day actively swimming above and around the reef while searching for small invertebrates and other suitable food items.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Nitrate: Low and stable
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm

Temperament:
Peaceful

The Polackorum Pencil Wrasse is generally peaceful towards unrelated marine fish and is best housed with calm to moderately active tankmates.

Avoid aggressive or highly territorial species that may intimidate it or prevent it from feeding successfully.

Diet:
Carnivore / Micro-Predator

Offer a varied diet including frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped marine foods and quality small marine pellets.

Several small meals throughout the day are beneficial and help maintain healthy body condition.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 200 litres

A mature aquarium with established rockwork, open swimming room and a soft sandbed is recommended.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Polackorum Pencil Wrasse is an active daytime swimmer that spends much of its time moving through open water and around reef structure in search of food.

When frightened or resting, it may bury itself beneath the sand.

A soft, fine sandbed several centimetres deep is therefore recommended.

Once settled, it can become a graceful and highly visible aquarium inhabitant.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe

The Polackorum Pencil Wrasse is generally considered reef safe and does not normally damage healthy corals or established ornamental invertebrates.

Very small natural crustaceans may be consumed while the fish is foraging, but it is usually suitable for mixed reef aquariums.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Provide a mature marine aquarium with stable water chemistry, excellent filtration and good oxygenation.

A soft sandbed should be available for natural resting and refuge behaviour.

Avoid coarse or sharp substrate.

A well-established aquarium with natural microfauna is beneficial, particularly during acclimation.

Monitor newly introduced specimens closely to ensure they begin accepting prepared foods.

Several small feedings throughout the day are preferable to one large meal.

A tightly fitted aquarium lid is essential, as pencil wrasses are capable jumpers.

Avoid aggressive tankmates and excessive competition at feeding time.

Suitable for:
Experienced

Availability:
Availability can vary depending on season, collection area and supplier.

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.