Choati Wrasse
Transform Your Tank with One of Australia's Most Vividly Colored Reef Wrasses
Looking for a wrasse that rewards the experienced reefer with some of the most intricate, jewel-like patterning in the saltwater aquarium hobby? The Choati Wrasse (Macropharyngodon choati) is a leopard wrasse species endemic to Australia — males display a vivid mosaic of orange, red, blue, and green markings across the body that make them look hand-painted under reef lighting. It is one of the most visually complex and sought-after wrasses available in the trade, and its Australian origin makes it a genuinely rare find.
The Choati is an advanced keeper. Leopard wrasses require a mature, established system with a deep sandbed — they burrow to sleep and when startled — along with a thriving refugium producing copepods and small invertebrates to supplement their diet. They can be challenging to wean onto prepared foods, so patience and a varied feeding regimen are essential. For the reefer with the right setup, the payoff is a long-lived, spectacular specimen unlike anything else in the hobby. A tightly fitted lid is non-negotiable — they are escape artists.
Quick Stats & Care Guide
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Common Name: Choati Wrasse / Choat's Leopard Wrasse
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Scientific Name: Macropharyngodon choati
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Current Size: Adult male
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Care Level: Advanced
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Temperament: Peaceful
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Diet: Carnivore — copepods, mysis, brine, small crustaceans; feed small amounts 3x daily
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Reef Safe: Yes (may consume very small ornamental shrimp)
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Minimum Tank Size: 90 gallons with deep sandbed (3"+) and mature refugium
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Water Conditions: Temp 74–80°F | Sal 1.023–1.025 | pH 8.1–8.4 | Moderate flow | Covered top required
Why Buy From The Coral Boutique?
Every specimen we ship has been quarantined, conditioned, and eating before it leaves our facility. Leopard wrasses are sensitive in transit and during acclimation — ours arrive stable and ready to settle into their new sandbed from day one.
