Yellow-banded Possum Wrasse

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Broadly distributed in the tropical Indo-Pacific, from East Africa and the Red Sea to Hawaii, the Tuamotus, and the Ryukyu Islands. Inhabits caves and deep crevices in coral reefs at depths of 8 to 36 meters.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the genus Wetmorella. Features a compressed, deep body with a pointed snout (giving it the name sharpnose wrasse). Grows to a maximum length of 6.5 cm (2.5 inches).

Social Behavior: Very shy and peaceful. Spends most of the day hovering slowly inside rock caves and under overhangs. Completely non-aggressive towards tankmates.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Body is rust-red to brownish, distinguished by two vertical yellow bands near the head and tail, and prominent black eyespots (ocelli) ringed in yellow on the dorsal and anal fins. No visible sexual dimorphism.

Aquarium Setup: Requires a tank of at least 80 liters with extensive live rock structures forming shady caves and narrow crevices. Prefers calm, low-to-medium water flow.

Diet and Feeding: Carnivore/Micro-predator. Feeds on naturally occurring micro-crustaceans and copepods on live rock. Acclimate to fine frozen foods like cyclops, mysis, and baby brine shrimp.

Water Quality: Stable parameters are key: temperature 24-26°C (75-79°F), pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.022-1.025, GH 15-25, and KH 8-12.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: 100% reef-safe. Perfect for quiet community tanks with small, peaceful fish like gobies and firefish. Do not house with aggressive species or fast-swimming competitors.

Aquarium Breeding: Unrecorded in aquaria. In nature, they are pelagic spawners, which is difficult to replicate in captive systems.

Risks and Diseases: Starvation is a major risk if kept in sterile tanks without live rock or alongside aggressive eaters. Prone to marine ich under stressful conditions.