Macropharyngodon kuiteri, commonly known as Kuiter’s Leopard Wrasse or Ear Spot Wrasse, is a highly sought-after marine fish species found in the reefs of Australia and Fiji. Let’s explore some fascinating details about this captivating wrasse:
- Appearance: The male Kuiter’s Leopard Wrasse boasts a beautiful pale blue body adorned with a red cross-hatched pattern and rusty-orange fins. In contrast, females exhibit a vibrant orange body with yellow fins.
- Color Variations: Initially, these wrasses start life as females. As they develop into adult males, the black spot behind the eye and the blue halo around the opercular spot disappear. Instead, a green and orange circle forms around the black opercular spot, and orange becomes the predominant body color.
- Habitat: In the wild, Leopard Wrasses inhabit sandy and rubble regions near coral reefs. To recreate their natural habitat, well-established live rock and a mature sand bed several inches deep is required. These wrasses are sand burrowers, so ensure there are large open spaces allowing access to the fine sand bed.
- Diet: Kuiter’s Leopard Wrasse feeds on small invertebrates such as foraminiferans and amphiopods that grow on live rock. Their diet should include vitamin-enriched frozen mysis shrimp, frozen brine shrimp, high-quality marine flake, and marine pellet food.
Remember, these little wrasses bring a burst of color to marine aquariums!
