Black Spotted Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon Meleagris)

The Black Spotted Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon meleagris) is a striking, peaceful addition to established marine aquariums, celebrated for its intricate spotted pattern and dynamic foraging behavior. This active daytime hunter displays remarkable sexual dimorphism, featuring intricate black and pearlescent markings across a compact profile reaching up to 15 cm.

Ideal for experienced aquarists, this species requires a mature reef system with an abundant supply of micro-invertebrates and a soft sandbed for natural burrowing behaviors. Its gentle nature makes it a safe tankmate for non-aggressive fish while actively hunting nuisance parasitic snails.

Key Features

Highlights

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Macropharyngodon meleagris
• Primary Common Name: Blackspotted Leopard Wrasse
• Other Common Names: Leopard Wrasse, Guinea Fowl Wrasse, Spotted Wrasse
• Origin: Indo-Pacific (Widespread)
• Max Size: 6 inches (15 cm)
• Temperament: Peaceful (Requires non-aggressive tankmates)
• Diet: Carnivore/Micropredator (Needs live micro-fauna and multiple daily feedings)
• Minimum Tank Size: 90+ Gallons (Must be well-established)
• Reef Compatibility: Yes, but will eat small ornamental invertebrates (snails/pods).

Materials & care

Diet & Environment:

• Care Level: Expert Only. Success hinges on a well-established, mature ecosystem.
• Minimum Tank Size: 90–100 gallons or larger. The tank must be well-established for six months or more to ensure a stable supply of live micro-fauna.
• Substrate: Essential. A deep, fine, sugar-fine sandbed (at least 2–4 inches deep) is mandatory. This fish is a sand-burrower, diving into the substrate at night or when startled. Coarse or sharp substrate can injure its delicate body.
• Diet: Dedicated Carnivore/Micropredator. Its primary diet in the wild is copepods, amphipods, foraminiferans, and tiny snails found in the rock and sand. It is often very difficult to transition to prepared foods. It must be fed a varied diet of vitamin-enriched frozen foods (mysis shrimp, cyclop-eeze, copepods) several times daily, and a functioning refugium to culture live food is a significant benefit.
• Temperament: Peaceful. It is shy and should only be housed with non-aggressive tankmates that will not out-compete it for food or bully it.
• Reef Compatibility: Reef Safe With Caution. It does not harm corals, but it will systematically hunt and consume ornamental snails, small worms, and copepods. Its beneficial hunting of small parasitic snails (like Pyramid Snails) is often valued by reef keepers.
• Jumping Risk: Like all wrasses, it is a talented jumper. A tight-fitting lid is required.

Compatibility

Compatible with peaceful, non-aggressive tankmates in mature reef systems. A tight-fitting lid is required to prevent jumping, and care should be taken as it feeds on small ornamental snails and micro-fauna.

Important Fulfillment Information

Fish and corals ship Monday through Thursday. Not all fish are sexed. If so it will specify.

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