Kuiter's Leopard Wrasse

[Ace25]

I was finally able to score a Kuiteri Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon Kuiteri) from my LFS after searching for almost 2 years. Had a rough trip coming from the LA wholesalers and then another hour drive after that and wasn't looking too good out of the bag. After an hour in a drip acclimation it perked up and was getting stressed trying to bury itself in the bucket so I tossed it in the display and it immediately buried itself (100% expected). Crossing my fingers I got a good one.

 

[k2parkstar]

Wow, what a beauty!!! Your getting in some great fish in lately. Good luck with this one, it's spectacular.

 

[ritter6788]

Good luck with the new fish! I'm sure you're excited after waiting so long.

 

[Aquaph8]

One of my favorite fish ever, it took me along time to find one too. They seem pretty tough as far leopards go, Im sure she'll do great. Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[BarbH]

Beautiful looking fish and nice score, hopefully it does okay for you

 

[Ace25]

Thanks! This was the fish I wanted to find for my B-day at the beginning of June but ended up with 2 Orangespot filefish instead. I know with Leopard wrasses any issues they may have are usually shipping/collection related, so if there are any initial issues it is usually no fault of the owner or LFS. If it makes it past the first week and looks and acts fine, they are usually hardy fish. It is the first week that is very critical for Leopards. If it looks/acts good after the first week and then some reason doesn't make it after a month, that usually means an issue with the tank, but since I have had multiple leopards in my tank for many years now I am pretty sure my tank is "leopard wrasse ready" so all I can do now is cross my fingers and wait to see how long it takes to come out of the sand (I have seen leopards take up to 3 weeks before emerging from the sand, but the norm is 2-3 days).