The Ornate Leopard Wrasse, Macropharyngodon ornatus, is a
uniquely beautiful fish with a black/green body speckled with
yellow/gold dots. The Ornate Leopard Wrasse is one of the few wrasse
species that can be housed successfully with members of its own species.
If this is done, there should be one dominant male and multiple
females.
The Ornate Leopard Wrasse should
be housed in a tank with at least 2 inches of soft sandy substrate and
plentiful supply of live rockwork allowing for the wrasse to burrow and
hide. A tightly secured lid should also be kept on the tank to prevent
escape.
The Ornate Leopard Wrasse feeds
mainly on a carnivorous diet, including frozen mysis and brine. The
Ornate Leopard Wrasse has been known to do a unique "dance" to stave off
potential predators. This fish is not for beginner aquarists. The
Ornate Leopard Wrasse is fickle and should be kept only by experienced
aquarists.