Striated Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus evanidus)
| Striated Wrasse Pseudocheilinus evanidus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Striated Wrasse |
| Name Lat. | Pseudocheilinus evanidus |
| Family | Wrasses |
| Family lat. | Labridae |
| Order | Wrasses & Relatives |
| Order lat. | Labriformes |
| Origin | Indo-West Pacific, Red Sea |
| Habitat | Reefs, rubble |
| Diet | Planktivore |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
| Hardness | 8-10 °KH |
| Behavior | Semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Individual, pair, group |
| Reef Compatible | Yes |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Life Span | 2-3 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 8 cm |
| Temperature | 22-28 °C |
| Salinity | 33-36 ‰ |
| Aquarium | ~ 250 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 3" |
| Temperature | 72-82 °F |
| Salinity | 1.020-1.025 sg |
| Aquarium | ~ 65 gal |
Distribution and habitat
Pseudocheilinus evanidus have a wide range, from the Red Sea throughout the tropical Indian and into the central Pacific. They live mostly solitary or in loose groups in the shelter of large coral blocks on outer reefs and in clear lagoons down to 40 m depth.
Maintenance
They need a well-structured aquarium with plenty of swimming space and a reef structure (hiding, resting and retreat possibilities) with living stones that act like a biological filter as well as free sand areas (no coral rubble!) for burrowing
Only lime-rich, heavy metal-free substrates may be used as substrate. Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. Lighting must match the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals
| Salinity: 33-36 ‰ | pH value: 8.1-8.4 |
| Carbonate hardness: 8-10 °KH | Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l |
| phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l | nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l |
For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention must be paid to constantly good water quality.
Diet
In nature they feed mainly on zooplankton. The feed change usually succeeds without problems. The food supply should consist of a combination of small mysis, artemia and cyclops. In addition, chopped shrimp and crab meat as well as a frozen food mixture enriched with vitamins for plankton eaters. High-quality flake and granulated food is also often accepted after an acclimation period
It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. This also reduces intra-species aggression and protects lower animals in the aquarium. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They can be kept singly, in pairs or in a group of at least 5 animals, which should be placed in the aquarium at the same time. Intra-species aggressiveness usually occurs only when there is a lack of space and food. Towards other peaceful wrasses they behave occasionally aggressive, towards all others peaceful.
Sex dimorphism
They are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning that most males develop from functional females and are called "secondary males". "Primary males" are born as males. Unlike other wrasses, they show little color change as they develop. External sexual characteristics are not known.
Reproduction and breeding
There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.
Important
They also eat parasitic micro snails (Pyramidellidae), planarians and bristle worms and prevent their uncontrolled reproduction
Overnight and when threatened, they bury themselves in the sandy substrate
As coral reef dwellers, they should not be maintained in a fish-only aquarium.
If different species are kept together, care should be taken to match the fish in terms of water quality and temperature requirements and social behavior, and to ensure that the setup meets the needs of all species kept together. New fish to be introduced must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: KUITER, DEBELIUS (2007): Atlas der Meeresfische: Die Fische an den Küsten der Weltmeere, Kosmos Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF