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Related FAQs: Leopard Wrasses, Wrasses, Wrasse
Selection, Wrasse Behavior, Wrasse Compatibility, Wrasse
Feeding, Wrasse Diseases,
Related Articles: The Diversity of Wrasses, Family
Labridae, Cook Islands Wrasses,
/The Conscientious Marine Aquarist
Leopard Wrasses,
the Genus Macropharyngodon
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by Bob Fenner
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Macropharyngodon geoffroy |
The Leopard Wrasses is the common appellation tied to these fishes for
their "spotted" and mottled appearance, as well as their large pharyngeal teeth.
All ten species are small (four to six inches) reef dwellers that can only be kept for any period of
time in full-blown reef systems. Even then, the best any of the group can rate is a (2).
Most are lost to simple starvation.
| Macropharyngodon bipartitus (two subspecies, M. b.
bipartitus Smith 1957 and M. b. marisrubri Randall 1978, the
first found in the western Indian Ocean, but not the Red Sea, the latter
found in the Red Sea's upper Gulf of Aqaba. No discernible differences in
appearance or survivability to aquarists(3's)) To about four inches in
length. Shown: a pair in the Maldives and a female in the Red Sea.. |
 
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Macropharyngodon choati Randall 1978, Choat’s Wrasse (2) is rare and expensive, coming
only from east Australia. To three inches in length. Australian photo of juvenile
and aquarium one of an adult male.
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Macropharyngodon geoffroy (Quoy & Gaimard 1824), Potter’s Leopard Wrasse (3).
Found in Hawai'i to Micronesia and the East Indies. A Batesian mimic, look-alike for Potter’s Dwarf Angelfish, Centropyge
potteri. A
very delicate species. Kona and aquarium photos.
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Macropharyngodon meleagris (Valenciennes 1839), the most common species
offered in this genus to the aquarium trade, is either THE Leopard
or Guinea Fowl Leopard Wrasse (3). Indo-Pacific; Cocos Keeling to the Western
Pacific. To six inches in length. Below: Aquarium and Australian photos of
initial phase individuals, and a spectacular terminal (male) phase one in Eric
Russell's aquarium.
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