Like most labrids, the males are the much more vibrantly colored and larger of the two sexes. The closest relative of Pseudojuloides polackorum is Pseudojuloides cerasinus, with P.polackorum being the more beautiful of the two in my opinion.

Male (top) and female (bottom)

Pencil wrasses have a reputation of being finicky and difficult to care for, but I believe the success of captive husbandry largely depends on how well the fish is handled between collection and aquarium.  More recent experiences with Pseudojuloides suggest that carefully handled specimens do very well in aquariums – very active fish with big personalities.  These reef-safe wrasses are world-class jumpers though so open top aquariums are a no-no.  They also require sandbeds as they, like leopard wrasses, sleep and hide in the sand.