{"product_id":"peacock_wrasse_macropharyngodon_bipartitus","title":"Peacock Wrasse - Macropharyngodon bipartitus","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeacock Wrasse (Macropharyngodon bipartitus)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Peacock Wrasse, Macropharyngodon bipartitus, is a stunning and highly sought-after marine leopard wrasse, admired for its intricate patterning, elegant swimming behaviour and vibrant colour variation between males and females. Also known as the Blue Star Leopard Wrasse, Vermiculate Leopard Wrasse or Splendid Leopard Wrasse, this species can be a beautiful addition to a mature reef aquarium. However, it is a specialist wrasse that requires stable water quality, a soft sand bed, peaceful tank mates and regular access to natural microfauna, making it best suited to experienced marine fishkeepers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePeacock Wrasse, Blue Star Leopard Wrasse, Vermiculate Leopard Wrasse, Splendid Leopard Wrasse, Divided Leopard Wrasse, Leopard Wrasse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMacropharyngodon bipartitus\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAround 13 cm, making it a medium-sized leopard wrasse that needs good foraging space and a mature aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMarine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFound across the Western Indian Ocean and nearby reef regions, including areas around East Africa, Madagascar and surrounding tropical reef habitats. In the wild, Peacock Wrasse inhabit lagoon reefs and sheltered seaward reefs, often around mixed sand, rubble and coral areas. They are usually seen singly, in pairs or with females in small groups, moving across the substrate and reef surface while searching for tiny natural foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTemperature: 24–27°C\u003cbr\u003epH Range: 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003eHardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePeaceful. Peacock Wrasse are best kept with calm, reef-safe tank mates and should not be housed with aggressive wrasses, predatory fish or overly boisterous feeders. They can be shy when first introduced and may be outcompeted by faster, more aggressive fish if feeding is not carefully managed. Males may show territorial behaviour towards similar leopard wrasses, so mixing should be done carefully in suitably large aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCarnivorous micro-predator. In the wild, this species feeds by picking small invertebrates from the substrate and reef surface. In the aquarium, offer a varied diet of frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brineshrimp, cyclops, copepod-based foods, finely chopped meaty marine foods and high-quality small marine pellets if accepted. A mature aquarium with established live rock, copepods, amphipods and natural microfauna is strongly recommended, as newly introduced specimens may take time to adapt to prepared foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA practical minimum of around 350–500 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for long-term success or if keeping with other wrasses. The aquarium should be mature, stable and include established rockwork, open foraging areas and a suitable soft sand bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn active daytime forager that spends much of its time moving across rockwork, rubble and sand while picking at small natural foods. Like other leopard wrasses, it sleeps buried in the sand and will also dive into the substrate when frightened. A soft, fine sand bed is essential, as sharp or coarse substrates can damage the fish when it buries. Newly introduced specimens may hide in the sand for several days while adjusting, especially after transport or changes in lighting schedule.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePeacock Wrasse are considered reef safe and do not normally nip corals, clam mantles or sessile invertebrates. They are well suited to mature reef aquariums, although very tiny ornamental crustaceans, pods and natural microfauna may be eaten as part of their normal feeding behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBest kept in a mature, stable reef aquarium with a soft sand bed, peaceful tank mates and strong natural food availability. Avoid bare-bottom aquariums, sharp crushed coral substrates and aggressive feeding competition. This species can be delicate during acclimation and may refuse prepared foods at first, so careful quarantine, low-stress introduction and frequent small feeds are important. Do not dig for the fish if it buries, as this is normal behaviour and disturbing it can cause stress or injury.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExperienced fishkeepers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpecialist marine wrasse \/ Availability can vary depending on collection, import, sex, colour phase, size and supplier\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Male \/ Small","offer_id":46407348715693,"sku":"AG-103878","price":85.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Male \/ Medium","offer_id":46407348748461,"sku":"AG-103879","price":95.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Male \/ Large","offer_id":46407348781229,"sku":"AG-103880","price":115.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Female \/ Small","offer_id":46407348813997,"sku":"AG-103875","price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Female \/ Medium","offer_id":46407348846765,"sku":"AG-103876","price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Female \/ Large","offer_id":46407348879533,"sku":"AG-103877","price":55.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/Peacock_Wrasse_-_Macropharyngodon_bipartitus_-_Male.jpg?v=1782239705","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/peacock_wrasse_macropharyngodon_bipartitus","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}