Leopard wrasse Expert only

Tuan’s Reef · Jul 15, 2022

I've been wanting a Leopard wrasse for a long time. I have plenty of pods in my tank . How difficult are they to keep?

MtnDewMan · Jul 15, 2022

I've had mine for about a month. The first few days was hit or miss with eating, but he has taken to frozen mysis shrimp, PE Mysis pellets, PE Calanus, Elos pellets, reef caviar. He is eating lots of different things, so I am happy with it's progress.

Tidal Gardens · Jul 15, 2022

They are very prone to shipping stress. If not acclimated correctly it is difficult.

nereefpat · Jul 15, 2022

I would hesitate to buy one online. If I saw a healthy one in a store, I would be comfortable getting it...depending on species. Which one do you want?

Phlynamjax · Jul 15, 2022

They are difficult to acclimate. However they are tank once acclimated to your tank. IME, to success, you need to source a healthy specimen and have a good QT process. I have about 10 leopards in my tank and once I get them through first 3 days, they are not difficult at all.

Mflores888 · Jul 15, 2022

I have a blue leopard wrasse and a black leopard wrasse, seems to be that the hardest thing is getting one in that isn't all messed up from the plane trip.

The store I got them from usually carries 10-15 and about 70% pick up on eating and live

Tuan’s Reef · Jul 15, 2022

I placed an order for the wrasse at Dr Reef the other day. I'm going to give it a shot and see what happens.

Lbrdsoxfan · Jul 15, 2022

Tidal Gardens said:
They are very prone to shipping stress. If not acclimated correctly it is difficult.

This. I've been through a lot of failures, they do not come in from the pacific well @ all.

Im thinking a conditioned one may do better.

SteveEreef · Jul 15, 2022

I bought a quarantined ornate leopard wrasse from from Dr Reef maybe a year ago. As was mentioned these fish get very stressed when shipped. I acclimated him and put him in the display. He hid in the sand for about a week and then was fine. He is one of my favorite fish. Good luck to ya.

i cant think · Jul 15, 2022

Personally, I would’ve gone for a hard species of Halichoeres first, for example Halichoeres iridis. These often have the same issues with leopards but are slightly easier so are a good “bridge way” fish into the Macropharyngodon from Halichoeres and other wrasses.