Leopard Wrasse Blue Star

Also known as Blue Star Leopard Wrasse

The Blue Star Leopard Wrasse is a stunning variant displaying leopard spotting with iridescent blue markings. Like all leopard wrasses, this sand-dwelling species requires specialized care but offers unique beauty for experienced aquarists.

Key Features

• Scientific Name: Macropharyngodon bipartitus
• Common Names: Blue Star Leopard Wrasse, Blue Spotted Wrasse
• Adult Size: Up to 5 inches
• Lifespan: 3-5 years with proper care
• Temperament: Peaceful and reef safe
• Reef Compatibility: Reef safe
• Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons minimum
• Experience Level: Advanced; requires specialized care

Habitat & Tank Requirements

• Tank Environment: CRITICAL: Requires minimum 2-3 inches of fine sand substrate for burying at night and when stressed. Provide live rock with caves but ensure open sand bed areas. Well-established tanks with mature sand beds and copepod populations are essential.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 72-78°F (22-26°C)
  • Salinity: 1.020-1.025
  • pH: 8.1-8.4
  • Pristine water quality absolutely essential
• Equipment Recommendations:
  • High-quality protein skimmer
  • Efficient filtration system
  • Gentle to moderate water flow

Diet & Feeding

Blue Star Leopard Wrasses are carnivorous microfauna hunters:

• Staples: Live copepods, live amphipods (essential for initial acclimation)
• Frozen Foods: Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, cyclops, finely chopped seafood (once acclimated)
• Live Foods: Live blackworms, live brine shrimp, live copepods (critical during transition)
• Feeding Frequency: 3-4 times daily in small portions
• Special Note: Requires established sand bed with natural microfauna population

Notes & Considerations

• Displays leopard spotting with distinctive blue star-like markings.
• Completely reef safe; will not harm corals but hunts beneficial microfauna.
• Buries completely in sand at night and when stressed; this is normal.
• DIFFICULT to acclimate and maintain; not recommended for beginners.
• Requires mature tanks with established copepod populations in sand bed.
• Often arrives thin; immediate access to live foods critical for survival.
• May refuse prepared foods; some specimens never fully adapt.
• Very sensitive to water quality, stress, and competition.
• Fine, sandy substrate is absolutely mandatory.
• Best kept as single specimens.
• Avoid aggressive tankmates or competitive feeders.

Why Choose a Quarantined Blue Star Leopard Wrasse?

Quarantined Blue Star Leopard Wrasses are extensively conditioned to accept prepared foods and have gained healthy weight before sale. Our observation period of several weeks ensures specimens are feeding consistently and thriving, dramatically improving long-term survival compared to newly imported fish.