Leopard Wrasse, Macropharyngodon meleagris (Valenciennes 1839)


Other Names: Blackspotted Wrasse, Eastern Leopard Wrasse, Reticulated Wrasse

A female Leopard Wrasse, Macropharyngodon meleagris, at North Solitary Island, New South Wales. Source: Ian V. Shaw / Reef Life Survey. License: CC by Attribution

Summary:
Males (terminal phase) are reddish-orange with a greenish spot on each scale (spots edged in blue and black), a black spot containing a few smaller yellow spots on the shoulder, and greenish bands on the head. Females and juveniles are whitish to greenish with numerous large irregular black spots.

Cite this page as:
Dianne J. Bray, Macropharyngodon meleagris in Fishes of Australia, accessed 29 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/252

Leopard Wrasse, Macropharyngodon meleagris (Valenciennes 1839)

References


Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls.

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp.
Bos, A.R. 2015. Soft corals provide microhabitat for camouflaged juveniles of the Blackspotted wrasse Macropharyngodon meleagris (Labridae). Marine Biodiversity March 2015 DOI: 10.1007/s12526-015-0332-x
Francis, M. 1993. Checklist of the coastal fishes of Lord Howe, Norfolk, and Kermadec Islands, southwest Pacific Ocean. Pacific Science 47(2): 136-170 figs 1-2

Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 437 pp.

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp.

Randall, J.E. 1978. A revision of the Indo-Pacific labrid fish genus Macropharyngodon, with descriptions of five new species. Bulletin of Marine Science 28(4): 742-770 figs 1-6

Randall, J.E. 2005. Reef and shore fishes of the South Pacific. New Caledonia to Tahiti and the Pitcairn Islands. Honolulu : University of Hawaii Press 707 pp.

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs.

Valenciennes, A. in Cuvier, G.L. & Valenciennes, A. 1839. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Paris : Levrault Vol. 13 505 pp. pls 369-388.

Westneat, M.W. 2001. Labridae. pp. 3381-3467 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218.

Quick Facts


CAAB Code:37384136

Biology:Capable of changing sex

Conservation:IUCN Least Concern

Depth:0-30 m

Fishing:Aquarium fish

Habitat:Reef associated

Max Size:15 cm SL

Species Maps

CAAB distribution map