Vermiculate Leopard Wrasse Care Guide
Macropharyngodon bipartitus is a small western Indian Ocean leopard wrasse with a reticulated pattern. It picks invertebrates from the substrate and buries in sand.
Overview
The vermiculate or divided leopard wrasse (Macropharyngodon bipartitus) is a small wrasse of the family Labridae from the western Indian Ocean. It shows a reticulated red-and-white pattern and reaches a maximum length of about 13 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Labridae
- Genus: Macropharyngodon
- Scientific name: Macropharyngodon bipartitus
- Described by J. L. B. Smith, 1957
Habitat
The species ranges through the western Indian Ocean, from Zanzibar, Mozambique, the Seychelles, Reunion, Mauritius and South Africa to the Chagos Archipelago, southern Oman, Rodrigues and Yemen. It is marine and reef-associated, inhabiting lagoon and sheltered seaward reefs at depths down to about 30 m, in waters of roughly 25 to 29 °C.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 250 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Maximum size: about 13 cm
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
- Fine sand bed for nightly burying
Diet
Macropharyngodon bipartitus is carnivorous and feeds by picking small invertebrates from the substrate. It is a delicate feeder, and a mature system with abundant live microfauna helps it acclimate.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful, diurnal wrasse that swims in the middle column and burrows in the sand at the sign of danger. The species occurs singly or in pairs, with females often forming small groups, and it suits calm tank mates.
Reef compatibility
Macropharyngodon bipartitus does not harm corals and is regarded as reef-safe, though it may consume small benthic invertebrates and beneficial microfauna it relies on for food. Specific gravity 1.024-1.026, carbonate hardness 8-12 dKH.
Conservation status
The IUCN Red List assesses Macropharyngodon bipartitus as Least Concern. It is harvested for the aquarium trade and is of no fisheries interest.