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Leopard Wrasse
Macropharyngodon meleagris
Marcropharyngodon meleagris or Leoppard Wrasse is rarely aggressive and is best kept in peaceful tanks with other non-aggressive fish. Although hermaphroditic, males will often fight if kept together. Females tend to prefer to school. This fish eats specifically foraminiferians (small red spiked formations on rocks), copepods and amphipods. Like the Choate’s Leoppard wrasse, is difficult to teach to accept frozen or prepared foods and should be attempted by an advanced aquarist only in a well established tank with a fully operating refugium.
Maximum Size: the Macropharyngodon meleagris grows up to 6 inches.
Minimum Tank Size: The Leopard Wrasse prefers a tank of at least 60 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.
Diet: The Macropharyngodon meleagris is a carnivore and likes to eat Eats mostly live foods, copepods, foraminiferans, and amphipods predominately. Can be taught to accept frozen mysis shrimp with time and patience.
Level of Care: The Leopard Wrasse is a high maintenance fish.
Behavior: The Leopard Wrasse may act peacefully toward other fish.
Hardiness: Difficult to keep in capitivity
Water Conditions: Keep water quality high (SG 1.020 – 1.025, pH 8.1 – 8.4, Temp. 72 – 78 F).
Range: Tonga, Fiji, the Coral Sea.