{"product_id":"yellow-assessor","title":"Yellow Assessor - Aussie","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Yellow Assessor (\u003cem\u003eAssessor flavissimus\u003c\/em\u003e) is a vibrant and distinctive saltwater fish recognized for its brilliant solid-yellow coloration, forked tail, and subtle orange-red accents along the fins and head. Its small adult size and unusual swimming behavior give it tremendous personality in a compact package, making it an excellent choice for peaceful marine aquarium displays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the western Pacific, including the Great Barrier Reef and Papua New Guinea, this species naturally inhabits caves, crevices, and shaded areas beneath reef ledges. One of its most fascinating behaviors is its tendency to hover or swim upside down beneath overhangs—a completely normal adaptation to its natural habitat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful, reef safe, and generally undemanding once established, the Yellow Assessor is particularly well suited to reef aquariums with calm tankmates. Its brilliant coloration provides exceptional contrast against live rock and corals, while its preference for sheltered areas gives it behavior that is noticeably different from many other small marine aquarium fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 gallons\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Planktivore \/ Carnivore\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Western Pacific – Great Barrier Reef and Papua New Guinea\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eAssessor flavissimus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTank Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a well-established aquarium with plenty of caves, overhangs, crevices, and shaded areas within the rockwork. These structures are particularly important for the Yellow Assessor because the species naturally spends significant time underneath ledges and inside reef cavities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDo not be alarmed if the fish regularly swims sideways or completely upside down beneath rockwork. This is characteristic behavior rather than a sign of illness or disorientation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOpen swimming space should still be available near its preferred shelter, allowing the fish to move into the water column to feed. Moderate water movement is suitable, although sheltered areas without excessive flow should be incorporated into the aquascape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA secure aquarium lid is recommended. While Yellow Assessors tend to remain close to their preferred shelters, any small marine fish can jump when startled or chased.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet and Feeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Yellow Assessor is primarily a planktivore that naturally consumes zooplankton and small crustaceans around reef structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn captivity, provide a varied diet including enriched mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped marine foods, frozen plankton blends, and appropriately sized high-quality marine pellets or flakes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall foods that remain suspended in the water column are particularly appropriate for its natural feeding style. Feed one to two times daily, ensuring that more aggressive tankmates do not prevent this relatively reserved fish from obtaining enough food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Tankmates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Yellow Assessor is peaceful and generally an excellent community fish. Suitable tankmates include gobies, blennies, clownfish, cardinalfish, firefish, peaceful wrasses, and other small to moderately sized reef fish with similarly calm temperaments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid housing it with highly aggressive dottybacks, large damsels, predatory fish, or other boisterous species that may continually chase it away from preferred caves and feeding areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA single specimen is appropriate for most aquariums. Pairs or small groups may be maintained in larger systems with abundant shelter, although individual territories should be available to reduce competition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReef Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Yellow Assessor is considered reef safe and is an excellent choice for coral-dominated aquariums. It does not normally damage or consume corals, clams, or other sessile reef organisms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also generally compatible with ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, and other common reef invertebrates. Tiny planktonic crustaceans and copepods may naturally be consumed, but established ornamental invertebrates are not normally targeted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–80°F\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecific Gravity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.024–1.026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlkalinity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–12 dKH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaintain stable, well-oxygenated water with consistently good water quality. Stability is more important than maintaining one exact value within these ranges, and sudden changes in temperature or salinity should be avoided.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Considerations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUpside-down swimming:\u003c\/strong\u003e Frequently hovering upside down beneath caves and overhangs is completely normal behavior for this species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShelter requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide numerous caves, ledges, and shaded areas where the fish can establish a secure territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeaceful temperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Avoid highly aggressive or excessively boisterous tankmates that may intimidate it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmall adult size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reaches approximately 2.5 inches and is well suited to thoughtfully stocked smaller reef aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanktonic feeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Offer appropriately sized meaty foods and make sure the fish receives enough food when housed with faster feeders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"TSA Fish","offers":[{"title":"Yellow Assessor; Aus.","offer_id":52465230151978,"sku":"BASSLETxYAssess","price":143.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/YellowAssessor_0b266609-5bca-4b71-a55d-90f521975455.png?v=1788462551","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/yellow-assessor","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}