Description

The Red Leopard Wrasse most commonly refers to Choat’s Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon choati). These are beautiful fish, but they have a reputation for being challenging and are recommended for experienced reef aquarists only.

Here’s a care guide for the Red Leopard Wrasse, keeping your location in Caboolture, Queensland, Australia in mind:

Size: They can reach a maximum size of around 4 inches (10 cm).

Tank Size: A minimum tank size of 75 gallons (approximately 284 liters) is highly recommended for a single Red Leopard Wrasse. Larger tanks are better to provide ample space for swimming and foraging.

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 72-78F (22-26C). Consistent temperatures are crucial. You’ll likely need a heater during cooler months in Queensland and potentially a chiller during very hot periods.
• Salinity: 1.023-1.025 specific gravity. Use a refractometer for accurate readings.
• pH: 8.1-8.4
• Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH
• Nitrate: Below 20 ppm
• Phosphate: Below 0.1 ppm
• Maintain stable water parameters through regular testing and significant weekly water changes using high-quality saltwater mix and RODI (reverse osmosis deionized) water. Tap water in Queensland can be harmful to marine life.

Temperament and Tank Mates:

• Peaceful: Red Leopard Wrasses are generally peaceful towards other fish.
• Reef Safe: They are considered reef safe and generally won’t bother corals or most invertebrates. However, they may eat very small crustaceans, worms, and mollusks.
• Tank Mates: Choose peaceful to semi-aggressive tank mates that won’t outcompete them for food or harass them. Good options include:
  • Fairy Wrasses (Cirrhilabrus spp.)
  • Flasher Wrasses (Paracheilinus spp.)
  • Dartfish
  • Small Gobies and Blennies
  • Assessors
  • Anthias
• Avoid:
  • Aggressive fish (e.g., larger damsels, triggerfish, dottybacks).
  • Fish that will consume copepods and amphipods at a high rate, potentially starving the wrasse.
  • Other Leopard Wrasses (especially males) unless in a very large tank with established harems.

Diet:

• Carnivorous: Their natural diet consists mainly of small invertebrates like foraminiferans, copepods, and amphipods found in the sand and on live rock.
• Feeding in Captivity: This is one of the biggest challenges. They need a well-established tank with a healthy pod population. You must also train them to accept prepared foods:
  • Live Foods: Offering live baby brine shrimp, copepods, and enriched adult brine shrimp can entice them to eat initially.
  • Frozen Foods: Gradually wean them onto high-quality frozen mysis shrimp, cyclops, and finely chopped meaty foods. Vitamin-enriched options are best.
  • Prepared Foods: Some individuals can be trained to eat small, high-quality marine pellets. Soaking them in a palatable attractant might help.
  • Frequent Feedings: Feed small amounts multiple times a day (2-3 or more).
• A refugium can be very beneficial for culturing copepods and other small invertebrates to supplement their diet.

Aquarium Setup:

• Deep Sand Bed: A fine, deep sand bed (at least 3-4 inches) is essential. They burrow into the sand at night to sleep and when stressed. The sand bed also harbors the microfauna they feed on.
• Abundant Live Rock: Provide plenty of mature live rock with lots of nooks and crannies for foraging and hiding.
• Good Water Flow: Moderate flow is generally preferred.
• Covered Tank: Leopard Wrasses are known jumpers, so a tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is crucial.
• Established Tank: Introduce them to a mature and stable reef system (ideally established for at least 6-12 months) with a thriving microfauna population.

Important Considerations for Caboolture, Queensland:

• Temperature Stability: Monitor and maintain stable water temperatures year-round.
• Water Quality: Use only RODI water for mixing saltwater and top-offs.
• Acclimation: Acclimate them very slowly and carefully to your tank’s parameters.
• Quarantine: A quarantine tank with a sand bed is highly recommended to monitor their health and feeding before introducing them to the main display. Be aware that they can be stressed by bare-bottom quarantine tanks.
• Observation: Closely observe their feeding habits and overall health. If they are not eating within a few days, it’s a significant concern.

Keeping Red Leopard Wrasses successfully requires dedication, a mature reef tank, appropriate tank mates, and a consistent supply of suitable food. They are not a fish for beginners.