Common name: Spotted wrasse

General information

The Peacock Wrasse, Anampses meleagrides, is a stunning and somewhat less common species in the marine aquarium trade. Known for its striking coloration, the male exhibits a beautiful pattern of white spots on a dark blue to black background, resembling the plumage of a guinea fowl, which is why it's also called the Guinea Fowl Wrasse. Females and juveniles, on the other hand, have a more subdued coloration with a brownish base and lighter spots.

This species is a member of the wrasse family, Labridae, and is appreciated for its active swimming behavior and pest control abilities, as it will often eat bristle worms and other small invertebrates.

Care

Peacock Wrasses are moderately difficult to care for, primarily due to their specific dietary and tank size requirements. They thrive in well-established aquariums with plenty of live rock for hiding and grazing. A varied diet of meaty foods, including frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood, is essential for their health and coloration.

Reproduction

Like many wrasses, Anampses meleagrides is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals start life as females and can change to males as they mature. In the aquarium, breeding is rare, but in the wild, they engage in elaborate courtship displays.

Habitat

Peacock Wrasses are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. They prefer reef environments with plenty of live rock and coral where they can forage and hide. Typically, they inhabit depths from the shallows down to about 30 meters.