Tag: possum wrasse

White Banded Possum Wrasse- Complete Care Guide
The White Banded Possum Wrasse (Wetmorella albofasciata) is an elusive but incredibly fun fish you can keep in a saltwater fish tank. They are predominately red with patches of black throughout, and vertical white bands spread across its body. It is a small species of wrasse but also very eye-catching. This guide will discuss White Banded Possum Wrasse’s aquarium needs, dietary requirements, tank mate compatibility, and more.
Aquarium Requirements
This fish will grow to only 2.5 inches in length which makes it a great choice for a nano reef tank, like a 10-gallon. They do best with varying-sized pieces of live rock for it to explore. As stated above, they are elusive and very shy. They will hide in and out of the rockwork when scared, stressed, and when searching for food. Possum Wrasses do not bury themselves in the sand at night, so they do not necessarily require sand in the aquarium. However, live sand is beneficial for the overall health of your fish tank.
Wrasses are notorious for jumping out of fish tanks, that’s no different for the Possum Wrasse. I recommend covering your aquarium with a well-fitted lid to prevent this from happening.
Water Parameters
Keeping water parameters in check is one thing you should strive to do. This is especially true for saltwater fish, because they are a little more sensitive to water fluctuations than freshwater fish. The following are water parameters needed by the White Banded Possum Wrasse.
- Water Temperature: 72°-78° F
- dKH: 8 – 12
- pH: 8.1 – 8.4
- Salinity: 1.020 – 1.025 sg
Consider getting a High Range pH and KH test kit to test for pH & dKH. Keeping your temperature between 72° and 78° can be accomplished with a heater. Take a look at my guide which showcases some great aquarium heaters. Lastly, I would pick up a Refractometer from Amazon to keep an eye on your salinity levels. If calibrated correctly, refractometers are much more accurate compared to a hydrometer which loses accuracy due to salt buildup on the dial. Check out Different Salinity Reading Tools For Saltwater Fish Tanks to get an idea of other salinity testing devices available.
Is the White Banded Possum Wrasse Reef Safe?
The White Banded Possum Wrasse is reef safe. It will not bother any coral or invertebrates, such as crabs, snails, and shrimp. It will be a benefit for your reef because it will consume nuisance inverts like bristleworms and flatworms, that can irritate coral if populations aren’t kept under control.
Food & Diet
Possum Wrasses are carnivorous and require a protein-rich diet. They will find a lot of food on their own in the aquarium, but should also be fed at least once a day. I recommend providing them with a variation of Mysis Shrimp, Brine Shrimp, and other meaty foods. They may also consume pellet food, and my go-to pellet food is New Life Spectrum – Marine Formula.
Tank Mates
White Banded Possum Wrasses are incredibly peaceful fish. They are much more docile and elusive than many other Wrasse species. They will do well with most other peaceful marine fish. The list is long but some of the fish they will do great with are:
- Dwarf Angels
- Anthias
- Basslets
- Blennies
- Butterflies
- Cardinals
- Chromis
- Clownfish
- Foxfaces
- Gobies
- Tangs
There are plenty of other fish species that are compatible with Possum Wrasses. When picking out tank mates, consider the space in the aquarium the fish will use. There may be territorial disputes if two or more fish utilize the same space. Also, consider the size of your aquarium. If your fish tank is too small, you’re just asking for fights to break out between fish. If possible, I would avoid keeping The White Banded Possum Wrasse with other Wrasses, just to avoid aggression and fighting. They will not do well with large-mouth fish, such as Anglers, Groupers, Eels, and many other large fish.
Breeding
I have never attempted to breed White Banded Possum Wrasses, and there is not much information available on whether it’s even possible. Saltwater fish in general are incredibly hard or impossible to breed in captivity, with a few exceptions of course. If anyone has information on breeding this fish, please let me know!
Final Notes
White Banded Possum Wrasses are very unique fish with an arrowhead shaped body, and interesting color patterns. They’re very elusive and shy when introduced into the aquarium. With time and patience they will warm-up to you and their surroundings. The White Banded Possum Wrasse is harder to find compared to the Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse, but either species is an excellent choice for a saltwater reef tank. If this wrasse is not for you, check out other Reef Safe Wrasses available.
Image by Mark Rosenstein on wikiMedia
September 18, 2023
11 Best Saltwater Fish for 20 Gallon Tank
Many different species of fish are available to keep in a saltwater aquarium. Searching the internet to find the perfect fish can be an incredible challenge. The amount of information out there can make your head spin. This guide will help you get closer to finding the right fish for your saltwater fish tank. Although many of these fish will not be compatible with one another in such a small fish tank, you’ll at least get an idea of the many fish to choose from.
1. Firefish
Firefish are relatively common and a more popular fish found in saltwater aquariums. They are peaceful fish that hang out above live rock and will dart into the rockwork when startled. They are generally timid fish and choose to hide when stressed. They are known to be jumpers, so keeping a well-fitted lid on your fish tank is highly recommended.
There are a few different species of Firefish, the most common ones are the Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica) and Purple Firefish (Nemateleotris decora). Less common species of Firefish are the Helfrichi Firefish (Nemateleotris helfrichi) and the Exquisite Firefish (Nemateleotris exquisita). Generally, each species will have similar water parameter requirements and grow to similar sizes.
2. Clown Goby
The Clown Goby is an interesting fish and is often found resting on corals and rockwork for minutes to hours at a time. They are generally very docile and should not bother other fish in the aquarium. However, they may battle it out amongst themselves in smaller fish tanks. They are generally reef-safe but will nip and bother many stony corals such as Acropora, and possibly others.
There are a few different types of Clown Gobies available. The Citrinis Clown Goby (Gobiodon citrinus), is also known as the Citrin Goby or the Yellow Clown Goby. This species, as the name suggests has a yellow coloration to it. Next, is the Green Clown Goby (Gobiodon atrangulatus), which has a mosaic of green, orange, and yellow colors on its body. There is also the Black Clown Goby (Gobiodon strangulatus). This species has a black/blue color to it. Last, is the Panda Goby (Paragobius lacunicolus), which has a yellow and orange body with black fins. You can click on any of their names to check out their complete care guides.
3. Neon Goby
Neon Gobies (Elactinus oceanops) are incredibly small saltwater fish that would do great in a 20-gallon aquarium. They have black, white, and vibrant blue horizontal stripes on their body. They will generally not bother other species of fish in an aquarium, but they become territorial and will likely pick fights with their own species.
In the wild, they pick parasites off other fish, but that’s not always possible in an aquarium. Because of this, the Blue Neon Goby should be fed a variety of Mysis Shrimp, Brine Shrimp, and other frozen foods made for carnivores. They should also be fed at least once a day, but twice a day is optimal.
4. Mexican Barnacle Blenny
Mexican Barnacle Blennies (Acanthemblemaria macrospilus) are communal saltwater fish and a great choice for a 20-gallon saltwater aquarium. Although they are not as active as most other fish, they’re still a fantastic option. Mexican Barnacle Blennies spend most of their time poking their heads out of crevices in rocks, waiting for food to be put into the aquarium. They will then quickly dart out of the rock and grab the food. The fun part about keeping this fish species is trying to find where they are hiding.
5. Possum Wrasse
The Possum Wrasse, sometimes called the Pygmy Wrasse, is an excellent choice for a 20-gallon aquarium because of their unique shape, coloration, and peaceful nature. On top of that, they will hunt for nuisance worms and other microorganisms that may be problematic in your aquarium. They should not bother coral in the aquarium.
There are two types of Possum Wrasse available. The Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse (Wetmorella nigropinnata) and White Banded Possum Wrasse (Wetmorella albofasciata). Both have similar temperaments and dietary needs. However, the coloration and patterns of both species are different. Check out the Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse – Complete Care Guide for more information on this fish.
6. Yasha White Shrimp Goby
The Yasha Goby (Stonogobiops yasha) is an excellent sand-sifting fish for a 20-gallon saltwater aquarium. They have beautiful white, orange, and red colors throughout their bodies and they only grow to about 2.5″. As a bonus, similar to a Watchman Goby, you can pair a Yasha Goby and Pistol Shrimp together to create a symbiotic relationship. There’s nothing better than watching a goby standing guard, while the pistol shrimp is working hard excavating.
Unfortunately, this goby isn’t as common in the hobby as many other species of goby. With patience, you’re likely to find one for sale from time to time.
7. Yellow Watchman Goby
Yellow Watchman Gobies (Cryptocentrus cinctus) are fantastic sand sifters for 20-gallon aquariums. They create burrows along rockwork and spend most of their time excavating and protecting them. The Yellow Watchman Goby is a great fish to pair with a pistol shrimp, but beware because this fish is known to jump out of aquariums. You’re welcome to learn more about this fish by taking a look at the Yellow Watchman Goby – Complete Care Guide.
8. Pink Streaked Wrasse
The Pink Streaked Wrasse (Pseudocheilinops ataenia) is another gorgeous fish that is a great choice for a saltwater aquarium. It is reef-safe and only grows to 2.5″. This species of wrasse has blue, red, and yellow colorations with horizontal streaks spread across its body. Unlike similarly looking Sixline Wrasses, this species should not be aggressive towards other fish. You can learn more about this fish by checking out the Pink Streak Wrasse – Complete Care Guide.
9. Deepwater Candy Basslet
If you have deep pockets and a cool water aquarium, check out the Deepwater Candy Basslet (Liopropoma carmabi). This gorgeous fish has predominately yellow and pink/lavender horizontal streaks. It will grow to about 2.5″ in length and will do best with varying pieces of live rock to use for cover. It is generally peaceful and is mostly reef-safe, but crustaceans that fit into its mouth may become a meal for this fish.
10. Swissguard Basslet
The Swissguard Basslet (Liopropoma rubre) is a gorgeous red, black, and orange saltwater fish with horizontal stripes throughout its body. It grows to about 3″ at full size when it is fully grown. It does best with live rock with plenty of caves and crevices to hide in because this species is known to be fairly shy. It is generally reef safe but may pick on smaller crustaceans.
11. Royal Gramma Basslet
The Royal Gramma Basslet (Gramma loreto) is a vibrant purple and yellow saltwater fish that will do great in a 20 gallon reef tank. It is considered a great beginner fish due to its hardy nature. This species of fish does best in aquariums with an assortment of live rock that it can use for cover. It will protect its territory from other fish.
Final Notes
Hopefully, this list gives you a good idea of the assortment of fish that can be kept in a 20-gallon saltwater aquarium. As a disclaimer, you cannot cram all these fish into a single 20-gallon fish tank. Many of them will not do well together in such a small fish tank, because of potential territorial disputes. This list is made to showcase what’s out there, and more research is needed to figure out what will do well together. If you already have your saltwater fish tank stocked with fish, check out some fantastic Clean Up Crew Options for Saltwater Aquariums!
August 25, 2023
Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse – Complete Care Guide
Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse Facts
The Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse also known as the Pygmy Possum Wrasse is a species of carnivorous saltwater fish found in this hobby. It is a peaceful fish with beautiful red, orange, and yellow coloration on its body. The Banded Possum Wrasse stays relatively small and is an excellent fish for fish-only and reef tanks. Pygmy Possum Wrasses are known to come with internal parasites. It is recommended to quarantine your fish and medicate them before adding them into the aquarium. This article will go into detail on the Possum Wrasse’s aquarium needs, food & diet, and compatible tank mates.
Aquarium Requirements
Because the Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse’s max size is 3″, it will do well in aquariums that are 10 gallons or larger. It is important to provide plenty of hiding spaces in the aquarium. Most hobbyists use live rock to provide a natural aquascape for their saltwater fish tanks.
A tightly fitted lid is also recommended for the aquarium because the Pygmy Possum Wrasse is known to jump out of the aquarium.
Food & Diet
The Possum Wrasse is a carnivorous animal, it is very important to provide it with high-quality foods such as Mysis Shrimp, Spirulina Brine Shrimp, and Pellet/Flake Food. They are not known to be finicky eaters and usually readily take food when introduced into a fish tank. If they are stubborn and avoid eating food, consider mixing the food with Selcon or soaking the food in garlic before feeding. Check out this article about the benefits of dipping your fish food in garlic.
Tank Mates
In appropriately sized aquariums, Yellow Banded Possum Wrasses should do well with other peaceful saltwater fish. It should be fine with clownfish, dwarf angelfish, firefish, tangs, foxfaces, and much more. I would avoid keeping them with fish that can fit the Possum Wrasse in its mouth. I would also avoid mixing wrasses because many do not get along.
In a large enough aquarium, 1 male can be housed with multiple females. The males are often more vibrantly colored compared to the females of the species. If possible, I would introduce them all at the same time, or introduce the females first and bring in the male after the females are established.
This wrasse species is reef safe. It should not bother any of your coral or invertebrates. The Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse may eat flatworms and bristleworms but if you have an outbreak of bristle/flatworms, I have more confidence in different wrasse species such as the Sixline Wrasse, Yellow Wrasse, or Melanurus Wrasse.
Breeding
I do not have any information regarding breeding. Many saltwater fish are incredibly hard or impossible to breed in an aquarium.
Final Notes
Possum Wrasses are interesting fish that can be kept in a reef tank or fish-only aquarium. Their unique body and coloration make them a fantastic addition to your aquarium. They’re also great because they can be added to nano saltwater tanks. If you have more information on Possum Wrasses please share!
September 17, 2022