Where can I find a white banded possum wrasse or pink streaked wrasse?

[i cant think]

These pics are from July. I'll have to get some newer ones on Monday when I'm back in the office. My Tanaka's is much larger than my yellow banded. Close to 3 inches now.

Yeah, Monday will be easier but from the photo I would say you got the white stripe possum and not a tanakas (LFS’s tend to mix up the two because they’re so similar in looks).

 

[GoReefin]

Yeah, Monday will be easier but from the photo I would say you got the white stripe possum and not a tanakas (LFS’s tend to mix up the two because they’re so similar in looks).

Pretty sure it's a Tanaka's. Here are a couple vids from about 9 months ago.

 

[i cant think]

Pretty sure it's a Tanaka's. Here are a couple vids from about 9 months ago.

So, in this photo I got from the video, it looks like there’s a third line coming in from above the mouth that leads to the eye, is that there?

 

[GoReefin]

So, in this photo I got from the video, it looks like there’s a third line coming in from above the mouth that leads to the eye, is that there?

I don't think there is a line there. Here's another pic. I'll take some newer photos on Monday.

 

[i cant think]

I don't think there is a line there. Here's another pic. I'll take some newer photos on Monday.

I’m getting mixed thoughts now, from the photo I saw it looked like a white banded but from this it looks like a tanakas

 

[SauceyReef]

These pics are from July. I'll have to get some newer ones on Monday when I'm back in the office. My Tanaka's is much larger than my yellow banded. Close to 3 inches now. I've had my Tanaka's for about a year now.

Thank you for sharing! What size tank is this? Are they housed together? No fighting?

 

[SauceyReef]

The white banded possums have always visible solid white bands and is also known as a Tanaka. The yellow banded possum wrasse replaces two of the white bands with yellow bands. The confusing thing is when the yellow banded possum wrasse stresses out or sleeps - it gets two kind of clear or translucent white stress lines in between the yellow lines. Similar how other fish change colors at night. Here is an example. This is a YELLOW BANDED possum with the stress lines :

 

[GoReefin]

Thank you for sharing! What size tank is this? Are they housed together? No fighting?

I tried them together and it was a no go. The tanaka's started in immediately so I moved the yellow banded to a 13.5g fluval. My Tanaka's was originally in a 13.5 fluval but have since moved him to a 16g rimless. My other yellow banded is in my new 13.5g fluval I just set up about 2 months ago. They are all doing well eating pods and frozen mysis. My tanaka's almost killed my cleaner shrimp so any small shrimp would be a no go with these guys.

 

[SauceyReef]

I tried them together and it was a no go. The tanaka's started in immediately so I moved the yellow banded to a 13.5g fluval. My Tanaka's was originally in a 13.5 fluval but have since moved him to a 16g rimless. My other yellow banded is in my new 13.5g fluval I just set up about 2 months ago. They are all doing well eating pods and frozen mysis. My tanaka's almost killed my cleaner shrimp so any small shrimp would be a no go with these guys.

I have my yellow banded with 9 different commensal shrimp including sexy shrimp. They dont seem to mind each other. I wonder if you got a temperamental one.

 

[GoReefin]

I have my yellow banded with 9 different commensal shrimp including sexy shrimp. They dont seem to mind each other. I wonder if you got a temperamental one.

Could be. Could just be the nature of tanaka's though as well. I'll try and see how my yellow banded does with some ornamental shrimps.

 

[GoReefin]

I took a couple pics of the Tanaka's this morning. His colors have certainly darkened a bit since he has matured.

 

[i cant think]

I took a couple pics of the Tanaka's this morning. His colors have certainly darkened a bit since he has matured.

Yeah, that’s a tanakas - Never seen one at 2” or bigger though!

 

[GoReefin]

Yeah, that’s a tanakas - Never seen one at 2” or bigger though!

He has had a diet of Pods, white worms twice a week when he was younger and frozen mysis. Mainly feeding just frozen mysis and the occasional white worms over the past 4ish months.

I honestly didn't know these guys stay under 2 inches.

 

[SauceyReef]

Sounds like they max out around 3". I think @Paul B would know! I think he has the oldest ones in the group I have heard of. Appreciate the photos! Looking really good. I personally feed mine a mix of mysis, fish eggs, and reef frenzy. Ironically it does not touch any of my red planaria or tisbe pods I add. Maybe they like larger prey? I have seen it RIP apart some mysis and a larger amphipod. Bens Reef shared a closeup photo and these guys have some teeth!!

 

[Paul B]

Mine is about 2" long, maybe 2 1/2" and is pretty old so I am sure he is full grown.

 

[GoReefin]

Mine is about 2" long, maybe 2 1/2" and is pretty old so I am sure he is full grown.

How long have you had yours? Curious how long these little guys live in the wild.

 

[Paul B]

I got one of mine from my last house and I am here 4 years so maybe 6 years old so far.

 

[SauceyReef]

Wanted to do a quick update. Crazy how time flies! I have had the Possum in the Fluval Evo for close to 2 years now. It was probably my favorite fish I have ever had. I added some new Sexy Shrimp a couple months ago, and something stimulated it to attack them. That and the fact that I think my tank is a bit small for this fish, I thought it was a good time to trade it. I traded for a Hellfrichi Firefish. But again, the Possum Wrasse was potentially the coolest fish I have ever had. Extremely smart and active. 2 great years with the fish! I hope it lives a long fruitful life in the hobbyists 80 gallon it got sent to.

<--- I will post updates on my Build Thread under my account name

 

[Paul B]

I have this guy for a few years. I don't remember when I got him but I bought him here so probably only 3 or 4 years ago.

 

[SauceyReef]

I have this guy for a few years. I don't remember when I got him but I bought him here so probably only 3 or 4 years ago.

You sure do love your possum wrasse! After having this one I see why. Such amazing personality. I remember you were advising me not to put it in the Evo at first. It took a little bit to get settled, but it seemed pretty happy and healthy the entire time. Still, what you said always lingered with me the past two years, and was a big reason I finally made this move.