Blackspotted wrasse (Macropharyngodon meleagris)

Scientific name: Macropharyngodon meleagris Valenciennes, 1839

The Blackspotted wrasse (Macropharyngodon meleagris) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F). Native range: Indo-Pacific, Cocos-Keeling Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean to western Pacific and islands of Oceania.

Blackspotted wrasse care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11; Vertebrae: 25. Color in life of young and females whitish to greenish with irregular black spots; males orange-red with greenish yellow spots (edged in blue and black, per scale); head spotted and banded. Anterior lateral line scales with 2-4 pores. Pelvic fins short, not reaching anus.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Macropharyngodon meleagris
Family: Labridae (Wrasses)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 15.0
Depth range: 0–30 m (0–98 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 30 m, usually 0 - 30 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Cocos-Keeling Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean to western Pacific and islands of Oceania.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)