Yellow Fin Flasher Wrasse

The adult males of this species are by far the most impressive. They are a vivid orange colour with subtle streaks of blue in various areas. A number of long, orange filaments hang from its back which it uses to flash yellow and white along with neon blue stripes during a stunning display of prowess. Females are a redder shade without the longer fins and filaments. They may have a faint violet streak along their underside.

If females are included in the tank plenty of breeding behaviour will be displayed. Spawning has been noticed, but no known success has been had when rearing them in captivity.

These fish, especially the males, will dart around the tank and provide plenty of entertainment with their courtship displays. They truly are a sight to behold, even when sleeping at night in their self-made mucous covered cocoons.

Yellow Fin Flasher Wrasse are found in small groups all over the East Indian Ocean from Australia through to Indonesia. They inhabit shallow crests near sheltered reefs which can drop down to 40 metres.

Tank Recommendations for the Yellow Fin Flasher Wrasse

The smallest tank size for this species is 210 litres and the wrasse will need plenty of wide-open swimming space so a longer rather than a taller tank is preferable. If keeping with larger fish provide plenty of rocks where the wrasse can hide and dart in and out of.

Remember that this fish enjoys long horizontal spaces so be sure not to block its path. Even though this type of wrasse is not a jumper it can sometimes frighten other fish with its energetic behaviour so be sure to install a well-fitting aquarium lid to avoid losing anyone over the side. Flasher wrasses do not sleep in the sand unlike other species so substrate type is unimportant.

Suitable Tank Buddies

The Yellowfin Flasher Wrasse will get along great with almost every other species as long as they are not large predators. You can keep them in schools as long as tank size is big enough, but only 1 male is recommended with multiple females. Keeping more than one male together will need an extremely large aquarium to avoid aggression.

Usually Compatible

Boxfish and Tangs will have no problems if kept with this type of wrasse. They will also get along great with larger species of Angelfish.

Sometime Compatible

Larger predators such as Lionfish, Eels and Groupers can sometimes prey upon the wrasse but not always. Parrotfish, Rays and Hogfish should be watched carefully too. There can sometimes be conflicts with Clownfish and Dwarf Angelfish. Gobies, Grunts and Dragonets will have to be monitored also.

Rarely Compatible

Sharks will see the wrasse as food and will without a doubt eat them. Pipefish and Seahorse may be too intimidated by the wrasse's erratic behaviour and be too scared to come out and eat.

Feeding Your Yellow Fin Flasher Wrasse

This species is carnivorous and in the wild will survive on a diet of zooplankton. You should feed them a good variety of vitamin-enriched brine and mysis shrimp as well as other meaty foods. They will also consume high-quality marine pellet and flake foods designed for carnivores.

These fish have small stomachs and as such need to be fed very frequently. 2-3 times a day should be fine but be aware they will steal food from slower-moving fish so always feed your wrasse first.