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African leopard wrasse is the East African variant of the leopard wrasse family - male displays striking red/orange body with dark spots; female has more subdued cream/brown leopard pattern. Same demanding specialty-feeder care as Macropharyngodon meleagris.
Native range: East Africa, Indian Ocean. Wrasses (family Labridae) are one of the most diverse and successful fish families on coral reefs - approximately 600 described species worldwide, of which 40-60 are commonly available in the marine aquarium trade. The African Leopard Wrasse is part of the Wrasse (Labridae) - Macropharyngodon grouping, characterized by elongated body shape, terminal-phase sex change (most species), and active reef-grazing or pest-control behavior.
Tank size: 70 gallons. Sand substrate is non-negotiable for sand-sleeping wrasse genera (Halichoeres, Macropharyngodon, Anampses) - 2-3 inches of fine pool-filter sand minimum. Rockwork should provide multiple cave entrances and tight crevices the fish can wedge into for sleeping or escape. Lid: tight-fitting, gap-free. Wrasses are the second-most-common jumping casualties in reef tanks after gobies - a single 1cm gap is enough.
Flow: moderate to moderately strong is preferred by most wrasses - they evolved on current-swept reefs. Lighting: standard reef LED works for all wrasses; the fish itself does not require special spectrum.
Specialty - live copepods initially. Most wrasses have very high metabolic rates and need 2-3 feedings daily. Skipping feedings during business travel or vacations leads to rapid condition loss - schedule automatic feeders or vendor-trusted tank-sitters for extended absences.
Safe: Peaceful reef community.
Avoid: Aggressive feeders, other Macropharyngodon males.
Not captive bred. Most wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites - born female, transition to male as they reach social dominance in a group. Tank breeding of wrasses is rare due to the complex behaviors and pelagic egg-laying that resists captive replication.
Feeding refusal (top cause of death); jumping; long acclimation period.
African leopard wrasse is the East African variant of the leopard wrasse family - male displays striking red/orange body with dark spots; female has more subdued cream/brown leopard pattern. Same demanding specialty-feeder care as Macropharyngodon meleagris. Wrasses (family Labridae) are one of the most diverse and successful fish families on coral reefs - approximately 600 described species worldwide, of which 40-60 are commonly available in the marine aquarium trade.
The African Leopard Wrasse needs a tank of at least 70 gallons. Sand substrate is non-negotiable for sand-sleeping wrasse genera (Halichoeres, Macropharyngodon, Anampses) - 2-3 inches of fine pool-filter sand minimum. Rockwork should provide multiple cave entrances and tight crevices the fish can wedge into for sleeping or escape. Wrasses are the second-most-common jumping casualties in reef tanks after gobies - a single 1cm gap is enough.
The African Leopard Wrasse is rated advanced difficulty on this care sheet. It needs a tank of at least 70 gallons, a temperature of 74-82°F and salinity of 1.024-1.026. Adults reach about 4.5" and live 5-8 years. African leopard wrasse is the East African variant of the leopard wrasse family - male displays striking red/orange body with dark spots; female has more subdued cream/brown leopard pattern.
Specialty - live copepods initially. Most wrasses have very high metabolic rates and need 2-3 feedings daily. Skipping feedings during business travel or vacations leads to rapid condition loss - schedule automatic feeders or vendor-trusted tank-sitters for extended absences. Feeding refusal (top cause of death); jumping; long acclimation period.
Feeding refusal (top cause of death); jumping; long acclimation period. Keeper note: Mature established tank with copepod populations mandatory. Long acclimation feeding period typical. Wrasses are the second-most-common jumping casualties in reef tanks after gobies - a single 1cm gap is enough.
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