Leopard Wrasse
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
With brilliant colors and modest, a seemingly ideal reef aquarium species, but challenging to keep. Scott W. Michael
[edit] Overview
This and other members of its genus are beautiful wrasses that unfortunately have difficulty getting enough to eat in the home aquarium.
They do best in large, well-established reef tanks with live rock and live sand supporting healthy populations of micro-invertebrates. Recommended for experienced reef aquarists only.
Family: Labridae
Other common name(s):
- Blackspotted Wrasse
- Guinea Fowl Wrasse
Native range:
Habitat: Coral reefs, sandy bottoms, rubble zones.
Maximum length: 15 cm (6 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 114 L (30 gal)
Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
General swimming level: Midwater to bottom.
[edit] Feeding
Difficult to feed. House in a well-established tank aquascaped with high quality live rock and a deep bed of live sand. Supplement with meaty foods: mysid shrimp, live black worms, reef plankton, enriched brine shrimp, frozen preparations for marine carnivores. Feed several times per day, depending on the availability of natural grazing opportunities (amphipods, forams) in the system.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
Sporting large teeth and a tiny mouth, it is rarely aggressive and should be placed with other accommodating species. Two males will fight, but females may be kept in groups. A female may transform into a male.
[edit] Special Care
Some aquarists advocate deworming these wrasses soon after arrival.
| Common name | Leopard Wrasse +, Blackspotted Wrasse +, and Guinea Fowl Wrasse + |
| Family | Labridae + |
| Genus | Macropharyngodon + |
| Image credit | SWM + |
| Maximum length | 6 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 30 gal + |
| Native range | Eastern Indian Ocean +, and Western Pacific + |
| Reference | 101 Best Saltwater Fishes + |
| Specific name | meleagris + |
| Swimming level | Midwater to bottom. + |
| Text credit | SWM + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |