The Kuiter's Leopard Wrasse Macropharyngodon kuiteri is highly prized by aquarists. In nature, it lives on shorelines of coral reefs where there are deep, well established sand beds.

This ornamental Wrasse is small, growing to a maximum of four inches in length. The female specimen has a body in a citrusy color palette. With an all over orange color and the characteristic leopard pattern displaying in light blue, it has yellow lips and fins. Large eyespots appear behind its actual eyes that have whitish blue halos.

Yes, Kuiter's Leopard Wrasse are reef safe. Aquarists should be aware that it will consider small invertebrates such as snails food, so it should be housed in either a reef or a Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR) aquarium setup.

Leopard Wrasses are not recommended for the new or inexperienced aquarist. This particular marine fish requires the care of an expert level aquarist and will make an incredible display fish if it is properly acclimated and cared for, and its aquarium is well maintained. Extra care should be taken during acclimation because this species is highly susceptible to stress-related injuries during transport. Confinement during shipping can trigger an instinctive burrowing behavior that can be damaging and detrimental because the fish may injure its mouth as it tries to burrow for safety.

To follow the lighting protocol that LiveAquaria® practices, marine fish are acclimated under red light or dark room conditions to create a relaxed and subdued atmosphere. The red lights remain on for a minimum of 24 hours after the fish is introduced into the quarantine system before the regular lights are turned on at a lower intensity over the course of the following day or two (depending how the fish is acclimating).

The Kuiter's Leopard Wrasse may require extra care in getting them to eat. Although some Wrasses will readily accept frozen foods, others may take up to a week before accepting a prepared diet of fortified brine shrimp or Mysis shrimp. If initially unsuccessful, the aquarist may need to resort to feeding live food like copepods or bloodworms because usually the movement of live food will elicit a feeding response. After success with live foods, the wrasse will typically accept their frozen counterparts within a short time frame.

Macropharyngodon kuiteri should be kept in a well-established reef or FOWLR aquarium of at least fifty gallons with live rock, a deep bed of fine sand to burrow in, and plenty of swimming area. Rockwork will provide them with areas to hunt and places to hide. A tight fitting lid will prevent your aquatic pet from escaping.

The Kuiter's Leopard Wrasse forms pairs during breeding. The female is an egg layer.

A part of the Labridae family, the Kuiter's Leopard Wrasse is a carnivore that should be fed live and frozen meaty foods, just as much as they will eat within minutes, and fed multiple times per day.

Although the Kuiter's Leopard Wrasse requires special care, that effort will be rewarded immensely with the stunning display this citrus colored marine fish will cast in your aquarium. Prepare to hear praise and awe from the mouths of visitors to your home when you keep one of these showcase specimens.