| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | With Caution |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 250 gallons |
| Max Size | 12 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
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Every order ships with our standard 3-hour live arrival guarantee. Need more time? Add our 5-Day Guarantee at checkout.
Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
The Yellow Stripe Whiptail Bream (Pentapodus emeryii), also sold as the “banana fish” or double whiptail, is a sleek Indo-West Pacific bream with a bold yellow facial stripe that continues along the body and a bluish tail that develops long trailing streamers as it matures.
What You’ll Observe:
- An active, open-water cruiser that spends most of its time in the midwater and front viewing areas
- A fast, confident feeding response once settled, often grabbing meaty foods before they hit the bottom
- Juveniles that may start by picking up food from the sandbed, then transition to taking food from the water column
- A “bigger fish” look as the tail streamers lengthen, making the total silhouette noticeably longer over time
To succeed with this species, provide a large aquarium with plenty of open swimming room and stable reef salinity. Offer a variety of meaty foods (including sinking options at first) and feed in a way that lets it get multiple bites during each meal. Choose tankmates that are similar in size and temperament so it can settle into a consistent routine.
How big does it really get—do the tail streamers “count”?
Most hobby discussions separate body length from total length; adults can look much larger once the tail streamers fully extend.
Is it normal for this fish to “follow” larger fish or hover near them?
Keepers commonly report short phases of shadowing or hovering near bigger fish, especially during routine changes; it often passes as the fish settles.
Will it take pellets long-term?
Many hobbyists report success once it recognizes prepared food; starting with frozen meaty items and mixing in pellets tends to help.
Does it spend time sifting or eating from the sandbed?
Some individuals begin by taking food off the sandbed and later switch to midwater feeding as they get comfortable.
Is this a better “single specimen” fish, or can I keep more than one?
Most keepers recommend keeping one unless you have a very large tank and a clear plan for introductions, since similar-shaped fish can become targets.
Shipped with pure oxygen and temperature control so it arrives stress-free and ready to eat.
