Kuiter’s Leopard Wrasse
Macropharyngodon kuiteri
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 3 - 4" - South Pacific | Original price was: $490.99.$257.99Current price is: $257.99. | Email me | |
| Out of Stock | 2 - 3" - South Pacific | Original price was: $466.99.$244.99Current price is: $244.99. | Email me | |
| Out of Stock | 3 - 4" - Male - South Pacific | Original price was: $588.99.$309.99Current price is: $309.99. | Email me |
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Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Expert |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 90 gallons |
| Max Size | 4 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
Kuiter’s Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon kuiteri) is a sand-sleeping leopard wrasse from the Western Pacific, often associated with regions like New Caledonia and eastern Australia. Its patterning is typically a mix of warm pink/orange/yellow tones with finer contrasting markings, with males showing stronger coloration.
What You’ll Observe:
- Low, methodical cruising over rock and sand while it “hunts” tiny prey items between grains
- A quick dive into the sand at lights-out, then reappearing around lights-on as part of its daily routine
- Short bursts of activity followed by calm hovering and foraging passes
- After introduction, it may spend extended time buried while it settles into a predictable schedule
Provide a mature aquarium with a fine sand bed for sleeping and a mix of open sand and rock edges for daytime foraging. Offer small meaty foods in several smaller feedings so it can graze naturally through the day, and keep a tight-fitting lid to support normal wrasse behavior and containment.
How long can it stay buried after being added?
It can stay under the sand for days, and some individuals take longer to show a consistent daytime routine in a new tank.
Is it normal if it only shows up for a short window each day?
Yes—many sand-sleeping wrasses develop a “lights-on to lights-off” schedule, and some keep a shorter visible window depending on feeding time and tank activity.
Can it be kept without a full sand bed if I add a sand container?
Some hobbyists use a dedicated container/bowl of deeper sand as a sleeping area, as long as the fish can easily access it and feel secure.
Once it eats frozen food, does it still spend time hunting pods?
Often yes—many continue picking at the sand and rock between meals, which is part of their normal foraging behavior.
Will it try to jump even after it’s settled in?
It can—many wrasses make sudden dashes when startled or during active periods, so long-term gap-free coverage matters.
Shipped with pure oxygen and temperature control so it arrives stress-free and ready to eat.
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