Ornate Leopard Wrasse

Macropharyngodon ornatus

The Ornate Leopard Wrasse is a marine fish from the family Labridae, known for its distinctive coloration. Males and females share a similar appearance, with a brown to greenish body adorned with pearly to metallic-green spots along the scale rows. Females have a pattern that is reddish at the front and shading to blackish towards the back, with greenish-yellow spots edged in blue and black on each scale. These fish inhabit tropical waters from Sri Lanka to western Australia, including Indonesia and New Guinea, although records from New Guinea need verification. Divers can encounter this species at depths ranging from 2 to 30 meters, often in lagoons or on sheltered seaward reefs where sand, rubble, and coral mix. They are usually seen alone or in small groups, feeding on small benthic animals. During breeding, the Ornate Leopard Wrasse exhibits distinct pairing behavior, as it is an oviparous species. This species is considered to be of Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List. It is harmless to humans and is sometimes collected for the aquarium trade. Divers might find the Ornate Leopard Wrasse to be a curious sight as it moves gracefully through its reef habitat.