The Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse (Wetmorella Nigropinnata) are a very peaceful, active fish that will bring both color and activity to a fish-only or reef aquarium of 20 gallons or larger.
Possum Wrasses are fairly small, but stunning wrasse, that is also known as the Pygmy Possum Wrasse or Arrowhead Wrasse, and only reach a maximum adult size of around 3 inches. They are a perfect fish for the reef aquarium or even invertebrates, because they don’t bother anything.
The Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse is a diminutive reef-dweller known from the Red Sea eastwards to the Marquesas and Pitcairn Islands, north to the Ryuku Islands, and southwards to the southern Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.
The Banded Possum Wrasse has an arrowhead like shape and is mostly red/orange in color with yellow vertical stripes, one behind their eyes and the other before their tail. As the fish matures the fish will darken to a deep rustish coloration and have three strong black spots. The male and female of this species are very similarly colored, but when courting, the male will display increased color intensity. Colors can vary based on the mood of the fish.
A single male can be kept with a group of females, if introduced into the aquarium, prior to or at the same time as the male. Otherwise, it’s best not to mix them as males may be aggressive towards each other. The Banded Possum Wrasse requires a tight-fitting canopy or screen cover to prevent from jumping out of your aquarium and plenty of live rock to provide feeding opportunities and shady hiding places.
Yellow Banded Possum Wrasses are carnivores and require a diet that is rich in meaty foods. Foods like mysis and brine shrimp, high quality meaty frozen foods and high-quality flake and pellet foods will keep your Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse healthy and thriving.
