Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse

Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse: The Shy Reef Dweller

The Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse (Wetmorella nigropinnata) is a small, secretive, and highly valued fish in the marine aquarium hobby. It is also known by the common names Sharpnose Wrasse, Blackspot Pygmy Wrasse, or simply Possum Wrasse.

Native to the vast Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to the Marquesas, this wrasse is a cryptic reef-dweller, preferring to spend its time hovering near caves, under ledges, and within the dark crevices of live rock. Its small, streamlined body (reaching only about 3 inches, or 8 cm) is typically a deep reddish-brown to rusty color, contrasted by two distinct vertical yellow bands: one behind the eye and another near the caudal peduncle (tail base). The soft dorsal and anal fins often feature a small, conspicuous black eyespot (ocellus).

Due to its diminutive size and timid nature, the Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse is an excellent candidate for peaceful nano or community reef tanks, requiring a minimum size of just 15 to 25 gallons. This wrasse is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid or screen top is essential to prevent escape.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: This wrasse is a Carnivore, feeding primarily on small benthic invertebrates (tiny crustaceans and worms) in the wild. In captivity, it must be offered a varied diet of fine, meaty frozen foods several times a day to sustain its high metabolism. Good options include nutritionally-enriched mysis shrimp, copepods, cyclops, and finely chopped clam or shrimp. It is highly beneficial to house this wrasse in a well-established aquarium with a natural supply of live copepods and amphipods, which it will actively hunt among the rockwork.
• Feeding: Due to its shy nature, ensure it is getting enough food and is not being outcompeted by more aggressive or fast-feeding tankmates.
• Reef Compatibility: It is Completely Reef Safe. The Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse will not bother corals or anemones. Its small mouth and diet mean it generally leaves ornamental shrimp and snails alone, though very tiny, prized micro-invertebrates may be at risk.
• Temperament: It is exceptionally Peaceful and Timid. It should only be housed with similarly small and peaceful tankmates (e.g., small gobies, cardinalfish, and small blennies). It is easily stressed and bullied by aggressive or overly active fish, which can cause it to hide permanently. It can be kept singly or in a male-female pair/harem in larger tanks, provided all are introduced simultaneously.
• Sleeping Habit: Unlike some other wrasse genera, Wetmorella wrasses do not require a deep sand bed to sleep. They seek shelter in rock crevices or caves at night.

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Wetmorella nigropinnata
• Primary Common Name: Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse
• Other Common Names: Sharpnose Wrasse, Blackspot Pygmy Wrasse
• Origin: Indo-Pacific (Widespread, including Red Sea)
• Max Size: 3 inches (8 cm)
• Temperament: Peaceful / Timid (Shy)
• Diet: Carnivore (Planktivore/Benthic Invertebrates)
• Minimum Tank Size: 15-25+ Gallons (Nano-Reef suitable)
• Reef Compatibility: Yes (Completely safe with corals)