Black leopard wrasse (Macropharyngodon kuiteri)

Scientific name: Macropharyngodon kuiteri Randall, 1978

The Black leopard wrasse (Macropharyngodon kuiteri) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–26°C (75–79°F). Native range: Western Pacific, presently known only from New Caledonia to the southern Great Barrier Reef and New South Wales (Australia).

Black leopard wrasse care at a glance

Temperature: 24–26°C (75–79°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Anal soft rays: 12. Body light orangish with a bluish white spot on each scale, a large black spot on opercle rimmed in blue and a small blackish spot behind eye. Teeth spatulate (except canine at corner of mouth). Caudal peduncle short, its length 2.3 to 2.5 in least depth (Ref 9823).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Macropharyngodon kuiteri
Family: Labridae (Wrasses)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 10.0
Depth range: 5–55 m (16–180 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 5 - 55 m, usually 10 - 55 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Pacific: presently known only from New Caledonia to the southern Great Barrier Reef and New South Wales (Australia).
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)