Description
The Ornate Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon ornatus) is a colorful marine fish known for its intricate patterns and vibrant coloration. Adults typically display a mix of browns, yellows, and whites, with darker lines resembling a leopard's spots, hence the name. They exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males generally larger and more brightly colored than females.
Physical Characteristics:
-
Coloration: Adults have a reddish head, thorax, and abdomen with greenish-yellow bands and spots. The body is mostly covered in blackish shading. Males tend to be darker than females.
-
Spots and Lines: The distinctive "leopard" pattern is formed by darker lines on a lighter background.
-
Size: They typically reach a length of around 10-13 cm.
-
Sexual Dimorphism: Males are generally larger and more brightly colored than females.
Other notable features:
-
They inhabit lagoon and sheltered seaward reefs, often in areas with mixed sand, rubble, and coral.
-
They are found in the Indo-Pacific region, including Sri Lanka, western Australia, and Indonesia.
-
They are collected for the aquarium trade.
-
They are considered reef safe, but may consume small crustaceans and other invertebrates.
-
They require a sandy substrate to bury themselves in at night.
