Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse

Also known as Yellow-Banded Wrasse, Possum Wrasse

The Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse is a unique and peaceful species displaying distinctive yellow bands across a white body. This shy sand-dwelling wrasse requires specialized care but rewards patient aquarists with interesting behavior and subtle beauty.

Key Features

• Scientific Name: Wetmorella nigropinnata
• Common Names: Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse, Threeline Wrasse
• Adult Size: Up to 3 inches
• Lifespan: 3-5 years with proper care
• Temperament: Very peaceful and shy; reef safe
• Reef Compatibility: Reef safe
• Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons minimum
• Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Habitat & Tank Requirements

• Tank Environment: IMPORTANT: Requires fine sand substrate (2-3 inches minimum) for burying at night and when stressed. Provide extensive live rock with caves, crevices, and hiding spots. These shy wrasses need secure hiding places and appreciate dim lighting initially. Well-established tanks preferred. Secure lid required.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 72-78°F (22-26°C)
  • Salinity: 1.020-1.025
  • pH: 8.1-8.4
  • Excellent water quality essential
• Equipment Recommendations:
  • Protein skimmer
  • Efficient filtration
  • Gentle water flow (avoid strong currents)

Diet & Feeding

Yellow Banded Possum Wrasses are carnivorous microfauna hunters. Recommended foods include:

• Staples: High-quality marine pellets, enriched flake foods (once well-acclimated)
• Frozen Foods: Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped meaty foods, marine cuisine
• Live Foods: Live brine shrimp, copepods, live blackworms (helpful during acclimation)
• Feeding Frequency: 2-3 times daily in small portions
• Special Note: Very shy feeder; target feeding essential in community tanks

Notes & Considerations

• Displays white body with three distinctive yellow horizontal bands.
• Completely reef safe; will not harm corals or invertebrates.
• Extremely shy and reclusive; may hide for extended periods.
• Buries completely in sand at night and when stressed; this is essential behavior.
• CHALLENGING to maintain; requires patient, experienced aquarists.
• Fine, sandy substrate is absolutely mandatory for survival.
• Must have very peaceful tankmates; cannot compete with aggressive feeders.
• May refuse to eat in presence of boisterous fish.
• Best kept as single specimens or in peaceful, species-specific setups.
• Often emerges only at night or during feeding times.
• Can be difficult to observe due to shy nature.
• More suitable for experienced aquarists who appreciate subtle species.
• Secure lid essential; can jump when startled.

Why Choose a Quarantined Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse?

Quarantined Yellow Banded Possum Wrasses receive extended conditioning to ensure they’re accepting prepared foods consistently and have adapted to aquarium life. Given this species’ shy nature and feeding challenges, our quarantine process is essential for long-term success and dramatically improves survival rates compared to newly imported specimens.