Possum wrasse

The possum wrasse is a very small marine fish of the family Labridae, found on reefs across the Indo-Pacific. It is a cryptic, shy species, reddish-brown with pale bars and a distinctive false eyespot on the dorsal fin, and it spends much of its time hidden among rockwork and caves. It is peaceful and secretive rather than active and open-swimming, and can be kept singly or as a pair in a suitable tank. Its tiny size and retiring nature make it ideal for nano and peaceful reef aquariums, where more boisterous fish would outcompete it. It is a carnivore feeding on small crustaceans and other microfauna such as copepods and amphipods, and should be offered frequent small feedings of finely chopped meaty and frozen foods. A mature tank with plenty of live rock, caves and established pod populations is important for its long-term health. It is fully reef-safe and non-aggressive.