Description
Blue Star Leopard Wrasse – Macropharyngodon bipartitus
Macropharyngodon bipartitus, commonly known as the Blue Star Leopard Wrasse, is a beautifully patterned sand-dwelling wrasse prized for its intricate spotting, graceful movement, and reef-safe nature. This species is characterized by a pale cream to greenish base color covered in vivid blue spots and fine patterning across the body and fins, giving it a refined, almost mosaic-like appearance. Calm and deliberate in its movements, the Blue Star Leopard Wrasse spends much of its day methodically hunting for microfauna along the sandbed and rockwork, making it both visually appealing and functionally beneficial.
Origin: Maldives (Indian Ocean)
Depth: 5–40 m (15–130 ft)
Lighting: Moderate; coloration displays best under balanced reef lighting with blue spectrum
Flow: Moderate; prefers gentle to moderate flow, especially near the sandbed
Tank Placement: Bottom-oriented; requires open sand areas for foraging and burrowing
Temperature: 75–80°F (24–27°C)
Salinity: 1.023–1.026 SG
pH: 8.1–8.4
Diet: Carnivorous – feeds on small benthic invertebrates; requires a mature aquarium with an established sandbed and should be offered frozen mysis, brine shrimp, copepods, and finely chopped meaty foods
Temperament: Peaceful; excellent community fish that coexists well with other non-aggressive species
Size: Up to 13 cm (5 inches)
Care Level: Intermediate to advanced – sensitive during acclimation and requires a mature system with a healthy pod population
Compatibility: Reef-safe; safe with corals and most invertebrates; should not be housed with aggressive or overly competitive feeders
