Who Gives A Fish Forums

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

jade wrote: ↑Sun Aug 24, 2025 10:45 pm 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?

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?

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.

Kairos9 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 25, 2025 5:21 am 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.