{"product_id":"red-leopard-wrasse","title":"Red Leopard Wrasse | Macropharyngodon choati","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Red Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon choati), often called Choat's Leopard Wrasse, is a strikingly beautiful wrasse endemic to eastern Australia. It is also one of the most demanding wrasses in the hobby: be honest with yourself before buying, as it is expert-only, sensitive and a fussy feeder. It reaches around 13 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMacropharyngodon choati is found only off eastern Australia, over sand and rubble patches around reefs where it picks constantly at tiny invertebrates. It buries in the sand at night and when alarmed. In the aquarium it requires a mature system with a deep fine sand bed and a thriving population of micro-fauna.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMales are gorgeous, with a red to orange body covered in fine blue-green scribbling and spotting, and green-marked fins. Females and juveniles are paler with a leopard-like pattern of spots. It is a small, elegant wrasse that shows best in a mature, well-lit reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and rather shy. It is easily outcompeted for food, so keep it only with other calm species. It can be kept singly or as a harem in a large mature tank. It leaves corals alone but may pick at tiny ornamental shrimp or pods.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is the make-or-break factor. It naturally grazes tiny live crustaceans and often refuses prepared foods at first. It needs a mature aquarium or refugium rich in copepods and amphipods, then patient weaning onto frozen enriched brine, mysis and fine foods with several small daily feeds. A new or under-fed tank will starve it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 225 L, with 300 L or larger recommended, and only in a tank at least six months mature with a deep fine sand bed. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.023–1.025. It is very sensitive to copper and poor water, so stable, pristine conditions and a tight lid are essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding is not practical in home aquariums. Like other wrasses it is a pelagic spawner with tiny planktonic larvae requiring specialised rearing. Focus on a mature, stable system and outstanding nutrition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMacropharyngodon choati\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed Leopard Wrasse (Choat's Leopard Wrasse)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEastern Australia (endemic)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExpert\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e225 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L or larger, mature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; live copepods and amphipods, weaned onto frozen enriched brine and mysis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.023–1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature, peaceful reef aquariums with a deep fine sand bed and pod population\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe; may pick at tiny shrimp and pods but leaves corals alone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other peaceful wrasses, anthias, cardinalfish, clownfish, small gobies and gentle reef species that will not outcompete it for food.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with aggressive or fast-feeding fish, boisterous tankmates, and any species likely to bully this shy, delicate wrasse or beat it to food.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234131558691,"sku":"AA2682-S-AU","price":105.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234131591459,"sku":"AA2682","price":186.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/red-leopard-wrasse-43090662818083.webp?v=1790305845","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-leopard-wrasse","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}