Help identifying this spotted wrasse

[Kairos9]

I found this spotted wrasse at my LFS, but the label was faded. It's got a blue body with orange spots, about 3 inches long. Anyone know if it's a Leopard Wrasse or something else? My tank's a 40-gallon with live rock, sand substrate, and a protein skimmer. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate, salinity at 1.025.

[jade]

Sounds like it could be a Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon meleagris). They're kinda picky eaters though. What's it eating at the store? Mine took a while to accept frozen mysis, but now it's chill. Tankmates?

[landon]

Dude, that's wild. My LFS had one last week, same deal, no label. Clerk said it was a 'rare import' but couldn't name it. Sketchy, right? Anyway, gonna follow this thread.

[LunaSky]

Based on the description, it's likely a Macropharyngodon meleagris. They require a mature tank with plenty of pods. If your tank is new, you might need to supplement with live food initially. What's your tank's age?

[duskrose]

I've kept Leopard Wrasses before. They're gorgeous but need a deep sand bed for burrowing. How deep is your substrate? Also, what's your lighting schedule? They can be sensitive to bright lights.

[fruitsy]

Definitely a Leopard Wrasse. They're not beginner-friendly due to their dietary needs. If it's not eating frozen yet, try live brine shrimp. Also, ensure your tank has a tight lid—they're jumpers.

[reelwise]

Sounds like it could be a Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon meleagris). They're kinda picky eaters though. What's it eating at the store? Mine took a while to accept frozen mysis, but now it's chill. Tankmates?

Yep, agree with jade. Mine took about two weeks to transition to frozen. Patience is key. What's your water temp?

[onyxine]

Leopard Wrasses are stunning but finicky. If your tank isn't mature, you're gonna have a hard time. They need a steady pod population. How often do you do water changes? Also, what's your filtration setup?

[Kairos9]

Thanks for the input, everyone. Tank's been running for 8 months, sand bed's about 3 inches deep. It's eating frozen brine at the store. I'll try live brine first and see how it goes.

[jade]

Thanks for the input, everyone. Tank's been running for 8 months, sand bed's about 3 inches deep. It's eating frozen brine at the store. I'll try live brine first and see how it goes.

That's a good start. If it's already on frozen brine, you might not need live for long. Just keep an eye on its weight.