Leopard Wrasse Primer

[Tylt33]

My Bipartitus is not impressed with his new cell mate.

That's not a leopard I've ever seen before... it's either not a leopard, or is something extremely rare. And your bipartitus is a she Make a thread in the Reef Fishes forum and see if you can get the attention of one of the professionals for an ID.

 

[Tylt33]

That's not a leopard I've ever seen before... it's either not a leopard, or is something extremely rare. And your bipartitus is a she Make a thread in the Reef Fishes forum and see if you can get the attention of one of the professionals for an ID.

I couldn't wait and made a thread for you... hope you don't mind :lolspin:

 

[AfricaOffroad]

I couldn't wait and made a thread for you... hope you don't mind :lolspin:

Thanks:fish2:

 

[BigRick]

That fish looks like a U.S. Army Leopard lol. Very Sweet I want one

 

[iamwrasseman]

could be on of these two wrasses or a variation of
#1 ~pearly weed wrasse -Platyglossus margaritaceus
#2 ~ jeweled wrasse -Hallichoeres lapillus
i think its the first

 

[AfricaOffroad]

could be on of these two wrasses or a variation of
#1 ~pearly weed wrasse -Platyglossus margaritaceus
#2 ~ jeweled wrasse -Hallichoeres lapillus
i think its the first

wrasseman, as always you've earned your username:smurf:
Searching on the names you've posted above, its definitely the Halichoeres lapillus.

In one of the google searches, I found a link to a local SA website with a similar catch. Its definitely the same fish.
Seems I'm not the only one who initially thought it was one of the leopards.
http://www.marineaquariumsa.com/showthread.php?t=7400goto=newpost

(one of the mods may want to move my posts and pics into the Halichoeres thread)

 

[iamwrasseman]

yes i bought one and it was called a tin foil wrasse by divers den about a year ago . he seems to be very much like a dragon wrasse in his actions . he constantly rearranges the smaller rocks and corals . beautiful fish but a little PITA ,well worth it though !

 

[travismcgee]

i have caribsea special grade reef sand. is this ok with the leopard wrasses. all else is good. from pictures on this thread it would se to be ok.thanks in advance

 

[iamwrasseman]

you are good tp go IMO as thats what i have in many of my tanks .

 

[langtudatinh01]

iamwrasseman, is a leopard ornatus easier to keep than a Meleagris? Thanks.

 

[wfournier]

iamwrasseman, is a leopard ornatus easier to keep than a Meleagris? Thanks.

My impression is that meleagris is easier simply because there tend to be more of them available hence more specimens in better condition available. I really think that with a lot of leopards it really comes down to finding one in good shape (and imho younger is better too).

 

[iamwrasseman]

i totaly agree with wfournier they are close IMO but it really comes down to the wholesale supplier . i have been having great additions to my collection as my lfs gets most of their fish from Quality Marine and they have great livestock IMO .

 

[langtudatinh01]

yeah, the LPS here has a ornate and a meleagris. i saw the ornate out and about at the same day they received the fish. they told me to wait until Saturday to make sure everything ok. they ask both for 80 bucks (Alaska price, suck living here and keeping reef tank). i do like the fish, but the price is quite high to take risk i guess. i will ask them to feed the fish mysis before i buy the fish. it looks fat and healthy so far.

 

[iamwrasseman]

yup ,dont be in a hurry and make sure they are eating before you purchase . i would also suggest that you treat them with prazi pro .

 

[this is me]

Here are my snow leopard trio. Just got it just now. MAC certified and eat frozen at the store. I got home a little late so the actinic is already on. They are all in the sand bed now.
I hope they all stay female because I like the patterns and colors of the female more than the male.

 

[iamwrasseman]

awesome fish there ,they are tough in the beginning but will make great tank mates in your tank .. what other fish are in the tank they will be in ? are you going to treat with prazi pro ? soooooooo cool looking aren't they ? i wish you the best with them and please keep us posted . if you have trouble getting them to eat get some live brine shrimp then switch them over to mysis and that will help them in the beginning

 

[this is me]

Hey Dave,
Thanks! All three of them ate frozen in front of my eyes at the store. I've been asking the store to get some leopard wrasse in for a while now. From what I was told, these fish came from a source that treat the fish for worms and make sure that they're readily eat frozen before they sell it to retail store. The price is a little higher than usual(50bucks a pop).

I also have an African bipartitus in the tank for about 3 months now. It eats mysis and NLS pellets. My goal is to get all my fish eat pellets so that I can just use an auto feeder when I go on vacation. I also have 3 onyx clowns(yes, three). And they've been in the tank for over two years now since they're little babies. I also got 3 lyretail anthias. Hehe, my tank is pretty loaded.

Here are some pictures of my Splendid or Bipartitus leopard. It's a lot bigger now. These pictures are taken shortly after being introduced in the tank. Will get updated pictures this weekend and hopefully those new meleagris leopard will show up as well.

 

[Reefer08]

What is the favorite frozen food for a leopard wrasse? Also are they generally a shy fish? Mine seems to be shy and not wanting to socialize. He does swim around but only at the bottom of the tank, I've had him for a week now. Thanks for the help

 

[krak256]

mines a big fan of rods food and PE mysis

 

[this is me]

I don't think leopard are shy fish. The one I have and the ones I've seen so far are always out and about pecking at rocks and swim up to the surface for food if I come close to the tank.

Give it a little more time. I feed mine NLS pellets and frozen mysis.