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Of the more commonly available Wrasse species that
stay small, the Pseudocheilinus appear to have much going for them. But
though they're good-looking, intelligent fishes, they can be too
aggressive to other fish tankmates, and if ever there were poster
children/fishes for shyness, these Labrids would be top contenders.
Often quite common in their natural ranges, with the exception of P.
ocellatus, divers miss seeing them about as much as anxious reef
aquarists who have placed them in their systems. Despite their tendency
to be little terrors and propensity for hiding these fishes can make
engaging, albeit fleeting additions to many types of marine
systems. Bio.:
All
told there are seven scientifically described species of
Pseudocheilinus (Randall 1999, and Fishbase.org). Of these, two are
rare as hen's teeth in the trade, hailing from restricted ranges.
In fact I have yet to come upon P. citrinus (from the Pitcairn Islands
to Rarotonga), or P. dispilus (from the Mascarene Islands) in the trade
in the U.S.. The other five species, listed below, are often available
however. Their collective distribution covers the Mid-Pacific (Hawaii
and the Polynesia, the west Pacific to East Africa's coast and the
Red Sea) . These are shallow water reef fishes, again w/ the exception
of P. ocellatus which is rarely found in water shallower than 100
ft.. They are all found in and amongst rocky rubble and its
associated attached life. Aquarium Available Species:
Behavior:
As noted, these fishes are shy to the point of invisibility; spending
their daylight periods skulking about in crevices and stony skeleton
corals on the bottom. This full-time activity serves them well in
seeking out their favoured food items as well as avoiding predators.
I should mention that these Wrasses are 'cocoon'
makers/sleepers, not under-the-sand types'¦ that exude body
mucus and sleep in a bag-type arrangement much like many Parrotfishes.
Like them this material is thought to aid in avoiding predators. You
may see yours ingesting this mucus on waking in the morning.
A disturbing behavior to guard against is their jumping out of their
system. These little Wrasses can launch themselves up and through small
openings. Do make sure you have your top completely screened.
In/Compatibility: All can become agonistic toward other fishes,
particularly species that inhabit similar (between-rock spaces)
habitats. Under-crowding, over-decorating and keen observation is
called for here, as always. Unless your system is at least a
hundred gallons, some five-six feet in length, fish families like the
Dottybacks (Pseudochromidae), Dartfishes (Microdesmidae), Grammas,
Liopropoma and small Clownfishes should be avoided. These way too often
fall prey to harassment from even smaller individuals of
Pseudocheilinus.
Reciprocally, other overly-territorial fishes that are reef-rock
territorial can work Lined Wrasses woe. Hawkfishes, Mandarins,
Lizardfishes, larger-more aggressive Wrasses, Damsels and
Clownfishes'¦ should not share their tank spaces.
Pseudocheilinus wrasses are Coral 'reef safe', leaving
stinging-celled life be, though you may occasionally find yours picking
around 'corals' and such looking for small worms, crustaceans
and the like that they feed on. Very little damage is done by this
picking. Small hermits and shrimps (Peppermints, Cleaners,
Thor'¦), especially while soft-bodied/molting might tempt your
wrasse, as well as small snails and Tridacnid Clams have been nipped by
these species on occasion; possibly in their quest for Pyramidellids.
Oh, and though they leave hard and soft corals alone, Pseudocheilinus
have been consumed by Sea Anemones in captivity.
Can you place more than one specimen in a given display? Perhaps. Space
for all is needed, and placement simultaneity is encouraged. Even then
there are no guarantees; other than if you only place one that it will
get along!
IF there are 'real troubles', you may need to separate the
contenders, no fun in a fully set-up reef system'¦ though
sometimes leaving the lights off for a few days, rearranging (sigh)
rock/décor can alleviate aggression. As usual, the onus is
upon you to carefully observe and care for your livestock. Selection/Stocking:
For being such small, reclusive species the Lined Wrasses are
remarkably good shippers. Look for the quality of 'brightness'
in prospective buys; that they're alert, looking about for food.
Unless the one you're seeing/evaluating for purchase is obviously
damaged (split fins are okay), it is likely good to go.
As far as likelihood of getting along/mean-ness index, the
Disappearing/Evanidus and Fourline species are by and large
easier-going, with the other species, particularly the Eight and
Six-line, tending to be most antagonistic. Systems:
Observing these species in the wild, one can see that though they are
slow-moving, they can and do get about over a surface area comparable
to all but the largest hobbyist systems. Hence the admonition re
crowding them with other rock-dwelling fish species including
conspecifics and congeners to discount aggression. I have seen four and
six-lines kept in volumes of only a few tens of gallons, BUT they were
the only fish life present. Better by far to stock these fishes in
large/r full reef settings.
We've mentioned these fish's penchant for jumping out of their
systems. If you leave your tank 'open top' do devise a screen
(plastic door type, Louvre'¦) to prevent yours exiting
'stage up'.
Lighting, filtration, circulation'¦ matters are 'reef'
standard.
Foods/Feeding/Nutrition:
In the wild, Pseudocheilinus feed on small invertebrates, mostly worms,
crustaceans and snails, found on rock or on the sand near it. In
captivity they have proven to be eager acceptors of most all suitably
sized meaty foods. The very best arrangement for them food-wise is to
have both a good deal of live rock in their system to pick off of, and
a large, vibrant refugium that generates copious quantities of
'pods'.
I would offer this genus' members other foods twice a day as well;
copepods, Cyclops, Mysids et al. are great choices. Disease/Health:
In addition to the common Protozoal parasites that most reef fishes are
subject to, this genus suffers more than its share of physical traumas.
Launching themselves out of tanks or against tops, lights, and into
hard surfaces in the tank results in many mouth and eye injuries. One
way to fight this trend is to do what you can to slowly, vs. all at
once, turn on and off lighting, even making provision for some
'outside light' to be on at all times. Another has to do w/
only stocking them in large volumes; to grant a sense of security among
other things.
Another type of physical injury that occurs often enough to mention is
these fishes getting 'spiked' by Polychaete ('bristle')
worms'¦ in the course of eating them. If yours appears to have
notopodial spines sticking out of its mouth or around the face,
don't panic. These generally work themselves out in days to a
couple weeks.
Cryptocaryon and Amyloodinium can be cured by the usual
means'¦ pH-adjusted freshwater dips/baths to rid the hosts,
subsequent treatment w/ copper (0.2-0.3 ppm free cupric ion) for two,
three weeks, and elevated temperature (85-90 F.) in the fallow
main/display tank to run up the metabolism of the parasites, speeding
their deaths in the absence of food (host fishes).
Altogether though, these fishes are hardy, disease-resistant; some
known to have lived more than a decade in captivity.
Reproduction/Breeding:
Like other Labrids, Pseudocheilinus spp. are protogynic synchronous
hermaphrodites'¦ becoming females first, then male. As far as
I've observed they live singly once mature, with only brief
'meetings/liaisons' between individuals; i.e. they are not
haremic species. There are no discernible differences (structural,
color-wise) between the sexes and as far as I'm aware none of the
species has been spawned, reared in captivity.
Cloze:
The diminutive wrasses of the genus Pseudocheilinus have much to
recommend them other than staying small. They are unique, interesting
characters that if you can train them to stay out a bit, make for
endless fun and discussion points. Just do be sure of the likely
compatibility you'll have with your given mix of livestock species
in their system. Bibliography/Further
Reading: Michael, Scott W. An aquarist's guide to
the Wrasses of the Genus Pseudocheilinus. FAMA
9/90 Randall, John E. 1999. Revision of the
Indo-Pacific Labrid Fishes of the Genus Pseudocheilinus, With
Descriptions of Three New Species. Indo-Pacific Fishes. Bernice P.
Bishop, Hawai'i. Scheimer, Gregory. 1997. Wrasses for the reef
aquarium, pt.s 1, 2. FAMA 11, 12/97. Schultz, Henry C. Four, Six, Eight; Genus
Pseudocheilinus. Marine World Magazine (UK)
6,7/08 Older vers:
Bibliography/Further Reading: Randall, John E. 1999. Revision of the Indo-Pacific
Labrid Fishes of the Genus Pseudocheilinus, With Descriptions of Three
New Species. Indo-Pacific Fishes. Bernice P. Bishop,
Hawai'i. |
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