Macropharyngodon Leopard Wrasses - Which is Best?

[skibum9884]

So, I don't think I saw this in the leopard wrasse primer. I'm debating attempting a leopard wrasse. I know that survivability is not great, however do certain members of the genus have a better survivability record?

I'm especially attracted to the Choati, but worry that the red coloration could be trouble with my existing flame wrasses.

Any comments?

 

[AuroraDrvr]

The Choati is the least hardy of all leopard wrasses.

I would say the Divided/Bluestar (M. bipartitus) and the standard Leopard Wrasse (M. meleagris) are the two hardiest species in the genus. And both likely have the best track records.

 

[snorvich]

The Choati is the least hardy of all leopard wrasses.

I would say the Divided/Bluestar (M. bipartitus) and the standard Leopard Wrasse (M. meleagris) are the two hardiest species in the genus. And both likely have the best track records.

I have both and they are thriving. It is important to deworm them and they need PE mysis and a supply of copepods to do well. And of course fine sand. I had a choati pair for a year and a half but they are very sensitive to Ph swings.

 

[skibum9884]

Good to know. Thanks guys. I'm going to do some more thinking and possibly try one. It seems like luck is a large part of success here, even among those with knowledge and experience.

 

[AquaReeferMan]

I had a bipartitus and a meleagris in my 125g for about 2 years before I tore the tank down and sold them. Daily feedings of PE mysis helped them along the way. If the fish are healthy and theyre mouths are not damaged during shipping they tend to do well IMO.

 

[namxas]

I kept a female meleagris in a mixed fish/softy reef for about 8 years. She was always one of, if not my fave fish at the time.

 

[snorvich]

Oh, by the way, my leopards all enjoy fish eggs and live black worms.

 

[skibum9884]

Honestly, what worries me most is adding a fish that hasn't been QT'd into a tank I've been so careful to keep ich and other things out.

 

[snorvich]

David, I understand your concern. However quarantining a leopard wrasse means having a full blown tank setup with live rock and sugar sand. Must also have copepods.

 

[skibum9884]

I hear you, I guess it makes sense to do a "passive" QT where you don't treat in a very non-sterile tank with sand and liverock and not medicate (unless absolutely necessary).

I've never attempted something like that. My QT is normally a barren tank with just sponge filters, a HOB, and some powerheads. Maybe I'll set something up that will meet these requirements.

 

[small alien]

I have a well established qt with live rock and sand that has never been medicated and I used that to successfully qt two meleagris for about 3 weeks. I did not deworm. I feed PE mysis and prawn roe to them primarily but they have started taking some flake and formula one frozen. I was disappointed to learn that mine were unlikely to develop into a male female pair as apparently meleagris live more solo than the other leopards. One female is dominant though and has grown to be about twice the size of the other. They are both doing awesome after about a year. When I got them from the LFS, I could just tell they were vigorous and healthy. They ate right from the get go. If I didn't have so many amazing fish, they would be my faves.

 

[prodman]

I have both and they are thriving. It is important to deworm them and they need PE mysis and a supply of copepods to do well. And of course fine sand. I had a choati pair for a year and a half but they are very sensitive to Ph swings.

How do you de worm them without Qt?

 

[AuroraDrvr]

I haven't had issues QT'ing a Potters Leopard in a basically bare tank with a Tupperware filled with silica sand.

 

[iamwrasseman]

prazi pro works best IMO .it is reef safe and i have had no ill effects through its use . i have used it twenty time or so in the past two years .
bipartitus are the hardier of the two IMO , the choati should be left on the reef as it really is difficult .

 

[skibum9884]

Would you include Potter's as being one fo the more difficult as well?

Thanks for all your help Dave!

 

[pookstreet]

From personal experience, keeping leopards is really a luck of the draw. I've never kept a choati so I couldn't comment on that one. While others are saying the bipartitus is hardier, I've never had success with them in 4 or 5 tries. I may give it another shot as it is a beautiful fish but finding one has been hard. The first meleagris I tried is still with me today after 2 years. As far as potters, I got 2 over a year ago and one is still doing well today. Some have said potters are hard to keep. I feed a mixture of frozen foods, pellets, and live blackworms. They go after everything, including the nori

 

[iamwrasseman]

the potters dont ship well and often come in very poor condition . i have two potters and it seems that once ypu get past a week or three your in like flint . its just the trip that makes them tough IMO.