Common name: Leopard wrasse

General information

The Leopard Wrasse, also known as the Guineafowl Wrasse or Blackspotted Wrasse, is a stunning and active fish that adds both beauty and character to a reef aquarium. Its scientific name is Macropharyngodon meleagris, and it belongs to the family Labridae. The Leopard Wrasse is known for its striking coloration, which includes a variety of patterns ranging from spots to intricate maze-like designs, often in shades of green, blue, and red.

These wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they are born female and can change to male as they mature. In the wild, they are often found in harems consisting of one male and several females.

Care

Leopard Wrasses are considered moderately difficult to keep due to their specific dietary and environmental needs. They require a well-established reef tank with a thick sand bed for burrowing and plenty of live rock for hiding and hunting. They are known to be picky eaters, preferring a diet of small live foods such as copepods and amphipods. It's essential to ensure a sustainable population of these microfauna in the aquarium for the wrasse to thrive.

Reproduction

In the aquarium, breeding Leopard Wrasses can be challenging. If a dominant female is present in the absence of a male, she may transition to male. However, successful captive breeding is rare, and most specimens in the hobby are wild-caught.

Habitat

Leopard Wrasses are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. They inhabit coral-rich areas of lagoons and seaward reefs, usually at depths of 1 to 30 meters. They are diurnal, spending the night buried in the sand for protection.

Symbiosis

While Leopard Wrasses do not have a specific symbiotic relationship like clownfish with anemones, they play a role in controlling pest populations in the reef. By feeding on small invertebrates, they help maintain a balanced ecosystem in the aquarium.