Divided Wrasse (False leopard)

The Divided Wrasse (Stethojulis interrupta) is a colorful and active marine fish popular among saltwater aquarium enthusiasts. Here's a detailed overview of its description and care requirements:

🐠 Divided Wrasse Overview

• Common Name: Divided Wrasse

• Scientific Name: Stethojulis interrupta

• Family: Labridae

• Origin: Indo-Pacific – especially reefs around Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia

• Size: Up to 5 inches (12–13 cm)

• Lifespan: 5–7 years (with proper care)

🌈 Appearance

• Coloration: Males are especially vibrant, with a green to bluish body and distinct horizontal stripes or bands of orange, red, and sometimes turquoise. Females and juveniles are more muted – usually grayish to brown with faint stripes.

• Sexual Dimorphism: Like many wrasses, they can change sex – typically from female to male (protogynous hermaphrodites).

🏝️ Natural Habitat

• Found in shallow reef zones, often swimming quickly over sand and rubble.

• Prefer areas with ample swimming space, coral heads, and rocky hiding spots.

🐟 Aquarium Care

Tank Requirements:

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons (208 liters)

• Aquascape: Open swimming areas with live rock, rubble zones, and sandy substrate

• Substrate: Fine sand (they may bury themselves at night or when scared)

• Lighting: Standard reef lighting is fine

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)

• pH: 8.1–8.4

• Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG

• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm

• Nitrate: <20 ppm preferred

Behavior:

• Temperament: Peaceful but active; gets along with most other non-aggressive fish.

• Compatibility: Best kept singly or in a small group if introduced at the same time.

• Reef Safe: Yes – doesn't nip corals or invertebrates.

• Jumpers: Yes – must have a tight-fitting lid!

🍽️ Diet

• Feeding Type: Carnivore

• Diet:

  • Frozen mysis and brine shrimp

  • Finely chopped seafood

  • High-quality marine pellets

  • Live copepods or amphipods

• Feed 2–3 times daily – they are active and burn a lot of energy.

✅ Pros

• Peaceful and reef safe

• Colorful and active

• Helps control small pests (e.g., flatworms)

❌ Cons

• Prone to jumping

• May not acclimate well if stressed during shipping

• Can be hard to feed initially – may ignore prepared foods

💡 Tips

• Acclimate slowly using the drip method

• Ideal for intermediate marine aquarists (not for complete beginners)

• Avoid aggressive tankmates that may bully or outcompete it