Gomphosus varius

Datasheet

General Description

The Bird Wrasse (Gomphosus varius), also known as the Olive club-nosed wrasse or Birdnose wrasse, belongs to the Labridae family. These fish are named for their distinctive beak-shaped jaws, which they use to forage among rocks and corals. Their diet primarily consists of crabs, shrimps, crayfish, mussels, small fish, and starfish. Bird wrasses have a unique feeding strategy where they will bash larger prey against rocks until the pieces are small enough to consume. Typically, they seek shelter among rocks when resting.

Aquarium Suitability

Bird Wrasse are considered suitable for aquariums with caution due to their potential to be aggressive towards similar species. They are known to jump out of open aquariums, which poses a risk. Additionally, these wrasses have specific demands that need to be met for their well-being.

Demands, Care, and Hardiness

Bird Wrasses are classified as hardy fish, but they require good hiding spots, such as live rocks, in the aquarium. They can be aggressive, especially when housed with fish of similar appearance or if space is limited. Providing ample swimming space, a varied diet, and introducing them simultaneously when forming pairs are essential for their care.

Reef Suitability

Reef compatibility with Bird Wrasses is possible with caution. While they are generally considered reef safe, there is a risk that they may prey on small invertebrates like shrimp, crabs, bivalves, and snails.

Aquarium Setup

When setting up an aquarium for Bird Wrasses, it is crucial to include plenty of hiding places like live rocks. The tank should be spacious to accommodate their swimming habits. Maintaining water parameters with a temperature ranging from 22.2-25.6°C, pH of 8.1-8.4, and specific gravity of 1.020-1.025 is vital for their well-being.

Behaviour

Bird Wrasses exhibit aggressive behavior towards similar species and require adequate space to prevent territorial conflicts. They are active swimmers that need room to move freely within the aquarium.

Feeding and Diet

These wrasses thrive on a varied diet that includes larger crustaceans, other invertebrates, and small crustaceans like krill, mysis, and artemia. Providing a diverse food selection is essential for their nutritional needs.

Dimorphism and Captive Reproduction

Bird Wrasses are hermaphroditic, capable of changing gender from female to male. When acquiring a male fish, a female within the group will undergo a sex change to fulfill the male role. However, captive reproduction of Bird Wrasses is not discussed.

Habitat and Distribution

In the wild, Bird Wrasses are found in the East Indian Ocean, Australia, Indonesia, and the Central/West Pacific region. Their distribution spans from the Cocos-Keeling Islands to places like southern Japan, the Marquesas Islands, and the Hawaiian Islands.