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Black leopard wrasse (Macropharyngodon kuiteri) — Labridae

Black leopard wrasse

Macropharyngodon kuiteri
Family: Labridae

The Black leopard wrasse (Macropharyngodon kuiteri) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–55.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Kuiter's leopard wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has an oval body with a striking leopard-like pattern of dark spots on a pale ground that changes with age and sex. As a bottom-oriented fish it swims over sand and reef bottoms and picks small molluscs, crustaceans and worms; at night it dives into the sand. Like many wrasses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black leopard wrasse?

The Black leopard wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Black leopard wrasse live?

The Black leopard wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Black leopard wrasse get?

The Black leopard wrasse grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Black leopard wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Black leopard wrasse is harmless to humans.

Is the Black leopard wrasse edible?

Yes, the Black leopard wrasse is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kuiters luipaardlipvis sourced
English name
Black leopard wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Macropharyngodon kuiteri
Family
Labridae
Other names
Ear-spot wrasse; Kuiter's leopard-wrasse; Kuiter's wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
55.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Macropharyngodon

More from the family Labridae

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