Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse

(Wetmorella nigropinnata)

Wetmorella Wrasse should be added to a well established aquariums with plenty of rockwork, caves, and crevices for hiding and hunting. Wetmorella Wrasse may not eat readily when first introduced to the aquarium. If seeing an unwilliness to eat add fortified live mysis or Brine shrimp to their carnivorous diet. Feed a diet rich in meaty based foods several times daily. Wetmorella Wrasse are not reef safe and will prey on hard benthic invertebrates. Wetmorella Wrasse are highly secretive and spend most of their time hiding and must be housed with peaceful tank mates. Wrasse are hermaphrodites meaning they start as juveniles/females but at some point in their life may turn into a male. Wrasse are hermaphrodites meaning they start as juveniles/females but at some point in their life may turn into a male. Provide an aquarium with a tight fitting lid as they may jump.

The Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse are also sometimes known as the Sharpnose Wrasse. Occasionally seen in the aquarium trade. Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse generally have an orange to red body with a vertical yellow stripe behind its eye and another on its caudal peduncle and a white trimmed black eyespot on its dorsal and anal fins. Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse can grow to almost 3".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 10 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

  • Care: CareModerateModerate
  • Behavior: BehaviorSocialSocial
  • Diet: DietLive FoodLive Food DietFrozen FoodFrozen Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef
  • Light: LightMediumMedium