General information - The Blue Star Leopard Wrasse has a

magnificent color pattern on its body. Its orange, yellow and brown

colors along with blue dots spread on its body makes it very sought

after species but the blue star leopard wrasse is not recommended

for beginners. In the wild the Splendid Leopard Wrasse swim singly

or in small groups. . Like many other wrasses the Blue Star Leopard

Wrasse or by its other common name Splendid Leopard Wrasse

will bury under the sand when threatened or stressed.  

Common Name - Blue Star Leopard Wrasse, Vermiculate Wrasse,

Divided Wrasse,African Leopard Wrasse, Splendid Leopard Wrasse 

Scientific Name - Macropharyngodon bipartitus

Photo by: Huy Phan

Origin – Indian Ocean and the red sea   

Size – Up to 3 in 

First discovered – Smith, 1957 

Nutrition – Carnivore, in the wild this beautiful marine fish feeds on invertebrates and snails.

They are specialized predators, they benefit from their teeth using them to pick their food from the rocks.

In captivity they will feed on copepods and amphipods but at first they require live foods such as feeder

shrimps. After well acclimated they will eat frozen foods such as mysis and krill. 

Behavior - Peaceful 

Maintenance and care - Due to its diet requirements the Blue Star Leopard Wrasse is not east to keep.

It is also very sensitive to undue water chemistry fluctuations and should be kept only by experienced reef

keepers in a well established fish tank. In my opinion this magnificent Wrasse should be kept only in reef

tanks with refugium to provide it with food.  It is highly recommended to quarantine this fish for 1-2 month.

When it feels good, the fish shows its astonishing colors but when in stress its colors fade. Do not attempt

to keep it without a reef tank with plenty of live rocks. Live substrate should be provided, as it will benefits

from all micro-invertebrates to supplement its diet   

Water Parameters – Temperature: 24C - 28C (75F-82F), pH 8.1-8.4, Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.025,

dKH 8-12 

Breeding- Not yet bred in captivity