Because the Bird Wrasse is a “jumper,” a tight-fitting lid on the tank is necessary. Females are creamy white colored in front and dark brown to nearly black in back. Because the Bird Wrasse is a "jumper," a tight-fitting lid on the tank is necessary. Generally, they do not bury themselves like other wrasses but may hide in the sand if frightened. Top Care Facts For The Brown Bird Wrasse (Gomphosus varius) Care Level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Diet: Carnivore Origin: Indo-Pacific Reef Safe: Quick View. Green Bird Wrasse for sale 4Less! Copyright © 2021, LiveAquaria®. For this reason the male is often called the Green Bird Wrasse, and the female, the Black or Brown Bird Wrasse. They will steal other fish's food and will eat any shrimp or crabs you have in your tank. If a pair of Bird Wrasse are to be included in a tank, the female should be introduced first. Coris Wrasse and Bird Wrasse Compatibility 1/18/08 Hi Crew! Marine Aquarium Library: Wrasses, Gomphosus, Gomphosus varius. The Bird Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food. This fish can grab that fish in its beak-like mouth and do serious harm. The Bird Wrasse males are generally a light to dark green hue while the females have a white anterior that blends into a dark to black posterior and have a yellow-orange, upper snout. It is better to choose smaller individuals that will adapt better to captivity. If a pair of Bird Wrasse are to be included in a tank, the female should be introduced first. The way he laid on the sand was cool and the feeding was fun to watch as they pick off the food from other fish I had. Bird wrasse can easily outcompete slower-moving species (and even some pretty fast-moving ones) at mealtimes. It is very active and flashes blue and green as it swims. They are very energetic fish and are always on the move. As juveniles, each species has their own unique transitional juvenile to adult colors and markings. Bird Wrasses are hyper fish, and the Green Bird Wrasse male reaches 12" in length! Bird Wrasse will also consume flake food and occasionally pellets. Once captured, it bashes the prey item against the substrate until it breaks into bite-sized pieces. For a period of time during this female-to-male transformation, the fish possesses colors of both sexes but eventually turns into an all green adult male. At times, large males can be very shy and will not come out to eat for a few days. Excludes Frozen Foods. Bird Wrasse are carnivorous and will eat most varieties of meaty food. Description. In captivity, Halichoeres ornatissimus will feed on meaty fares such as fresh or frozen seafood, dried, frozen or live brine and mysid shrimp, live grass shrimp, as well as flake foods. Do not mix with other elongated fish. In the wild, the male bird wrasse spends its time during the day hunting for food along the reef and in sand channels. Nature's way of propagating the species is that a single female will change into a male, separate from the group, and once fully transformed, starts a harem of its own. I recommend it. If a pair of Bird Wrasse are to be included in a tank, the female should be introduced first. Like other wrasses, it is carnivorous, its diet consisting primarily of small benthic crustaceans caught in corals, but it may also feed on brittle stars, molluscs and small fish. It is recommended to feed this fish three times a day. By using The Spruce Pets, you accept our, More Pet Fish Breeds and Further Research, Stunning Photos of Different Types of Wrasse Fish, All About Saltwater Wrasses for Aquarium Hobbyists, Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish (Forceps Fish), Awesome Beginner Fish for a Saltwater Aquarium, How to Care for Black Triggerfish in Your Aquarium, Striped Squirrelfish (Hawaiian Squirrelfish). Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Cocos-Keeling to Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Tuamotu Islands, north to Southern Japan, and south to Lord Howe and Rapa Islands. The bird wrasse is considered easy to care for. The female is brownish black, and the male is variations of green. They should be fed a carnivorous diet, consisting of Brine Shrimp, Mysis Shrimp, shaved Fish or Shrimp flesh, finely chopped Shrimp, Squid and Mussels. Identification Juvenile Birdnose Wrasse are green above and white below with two black stripes along the length of the body. Make sure you provide hiding places in the form of rockwork and plants. All of the saltwater fish for sale besides “expert level care” come with our full Live Arrival Guarantee and 10-day Live Arrival with Stay Alive guarantee. If a pair of Bird Wrasse are to be included in a tank, the female should be introduced first. The bird wrasse is a very beautiful and interesting fish. At night, it will find a secure crevice in the rocks and hide until it turns light again. These foods include krill, raw table shrimp, squid, clam and mussel. Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 2" to 3"; Medium: 3" to 4"; Large: 4" to 6" XLarge: 6" to 7". If bird wrasses appeal to you, and you are interested in some compatible fish for your aquarium, read up on: Check out additional fish breed profiles for more information on other saltwater fish. Although their mouths are small, they will grab their prey and then dash it on the substrate, breaking it up into bite-size pieces. Bird wrasses are a semi-aggressive fish that have a tendency to eat smaller fish and almost any crustacean, shrimp, crab, snail, or clam. This interesting fish has elongated jaws which allow it to pick up small benthic crustaceans including shrimp, crabs, brittle stars … Related Products. The bird wrasse is semi-aggressive toward its food but basically passive toward fish that they do not view as lunch. The Bird Wrasse is extremely hardy, and great for beginners, as it is also easy to care for and will readily accept food once acclimated. They typically sleep under rock shelves, under corals, on the sand surface, or in a crevice. 58302).Feeds mainly on small benthic crustaceans, sometimes on small fishes, brittle stars, and mollusks (Ref. When choosing your bird wrasse, keep in mind they are very smart and will have done everything they can to escape capture in the wild. Stan and Debbie have worked in the aquarium fish field for over three decades and written 300+ articles about pet fish. The most unique aspect about the Bird Wrasse is its elongated beak which is used to catch long, skinny prey and hold it captive while breaking it up into bite-size pieces. They are flashy fish that draw a lot of attention in tanks while also being able to blend into any developed live rocks in mature tanks. A solitary species (Ref. In the Aquarium they should be fed all kinds of meaty foods, … Food and diet: Six Line Wrasse are very active feeders that will generally spend the majority of the day cruising up and down the reef looking for food items on which to feed. Rockwork or live rock with plenty of hiding places is important, especially when first introduced. They will also feed on Copepods if present in the aquarium. I have found this to be a unique fish that is easy to keep and adds a lot of interest to my aquarium. All rights reserved. A bird wrasse will eat nasty fire and other nuisance bristle worms, but beneficial and decorative type worms, small crustaceans, snails and such as well. In an aquarium with a sufficient population of micro faunae, the Six Line Wrasse will need only … They are very hardy and disease resistant. FREE SHIPPING on qualifying aquarium supplies orders $29 and up. The bird wrasse is a great fish for a beginner, as long as it is provided with a large enough tank. The breeding of the bird wrasse is generally unknown in captivity. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. Brown Bird Wrasse for sale 4Less! Scientific Name Gomphosus varius Range Indo-Pacific Ocean Conservation Status Least Concern Trophic Specialist. Common Names: Bird fish, green bird wrasse, black or brown bird wrasse, birdnose wrasse, Indian Ocean bird wrasse. Females from front to back are white to yellow on the bottom and greenish-blue on top. 90102) found in coral-rich areas of lagoon and seaward reefs to a depth of at least 30 m (Ref. The males are green. They are absolutely beautiful, but need at least 100 gallons, with longer 6' tanks and taller 4' tanks being. Because the Bird Wrasse is a "jumper," a tight-fitting lid on the tank is necessary. The common name of the Birdnose Wrasse refers to the fish's long snout that is thought to resemble a bird's beak. Both female species have bottom half white and top half peachy colored snouts. Named for its bird-like snout, this wrasse feeds … This fish will need well-oxygenated water that is brisk and aerated due to their high energy. In the wild, a single male congregates with a large harem of females. His streamlined body makes him a faster swimmer than the Triggers. The Bird Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food. They eat mainly crabs, shrimps and crayfish, but also mussels, small fish and starfish are included in their natural diet. Also offer meaty foods such as vitamin enriched Brine Shrimp and frozen Mysis Shrimp. The Bird Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food. The Green Bird Wrasse prefers to eat meaty foods such as krill, raw table shrimp, squid, clam and mussel. Only one bird wrasse male should be kept in an aquarium. The ornate wrasse, primarily brightly red and green colored, is an aggressive carnivore. 2334). You can tell them apart from G. caeruleus, since those males are much bluer in color. A 125 gallon or larger aquarium with large amounts of live rock which furnish food and hiding places provides a good environment. Feeding Your Bird Wrasse. Diet. Because the Bird Wrasse is a "jumper," a tight-fitting lid on the tank is necessary. Named for their distinctive bird-like beaked snouts, and sexed by their display of colors, bird wrasses are easy to identify. Hundreds of articles to help you with your aquarium. The Bird Wrasse Gomphosus varius, is a beautiful emerald green fish in its male form, known as the Green Bird Wrasse, and as a female it is white, sprinkled with tiny black spots in front that fades to a dark brown or black mid body to the tail, and is known as the Brown Bird Wrasse or Black Bird Wrasse.They have a unique body shape that sets them apart from other Wrasses. Diet: Carnivore: Water Parameters: 72-78 F, pH 8-8.4, Salinity 1.020-1.025: Aggression: Peaceful: Size: 4.5" The Orange Black Fairy Wrasse makes for a great addition to any non aggressive marine aquarium. sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4. The Bird Wrasse diet should consist of a variety of meaty foods, as well as live clams, crustaceans, and worms (including fireworms). G. varius males are typically medium to dark green or greenish-blue in color. They use their bird beak-like snouts to feed on small bottom-dwelling crustaceans found between coral branches, rock, and sand, as well as small fish, brittle stars, and mollusks. The avian similarities are further reinforced by its large pectoral fins and penguin-like body shape. The Brown Bird Wrasse female has a unique protruding beak and is brown in color. He is one of my first fish, very hardy, and eats well. Add to cart. Top Care Facts For The Green Bird Wrasse (Gomphosus varius) Care Level: Easy Temperament: Semi-Aggressive Diet: Carnivore Origin: Indo Pacific Acclimation Bird wrasses are a semi-aggressive fish that have a tendency to eat smaller fish and almost any crustacean, shrimp, crab, snail, or clam. The Bluehead Wrasse is a big eater and requires feeds 2-3 times a day. Once he gets their food, he tries to swallow it as he swims away. Aqueon 72 … A good diet boosts the immune system and helps the bird ward off illness. 1602, 58302).Benthopelagic (Ref. Although this fish's bird-like beak mouth is small, it is adept at grasping prey in its strong jaws. I have had about three Green Bird's and they were the stars of the tank. It is often confused with another bird wrasse species, the green birdmouth wrasse or Red ​Sea bird wrasse, G. caeruleus, which is more predominant in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. The different names do however have different meanings, so it can be good to clear this out once and for all. Having 3 or 4 inches of sand can be a good idea just in case they decide they need to burrow. This hardy and unique looking wrasse does well in a captive environment if provided with adequate swimming area and generous live rock for shelter. The Spruce Pets uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Bird wrasse, Greenbird wrasse, Blackbird wrasse, Brownbird wrasse – many names but the same species. Do not mix with other elongated fish. Their natural diet includes consuming snails, crabs, small shrimp, fan worms, and many corals. Bird wrasse can easily outcompete slower-moving species (and even some pretty fast-moving ones) at mealtimes. It's interesting to watch him take food away from other fish. This species is found in the Indo-Pacific oceans from India to Japan to Hawaii. During its lifetime, the bird wrasse undergoes a sexual metamorphosis corresponding to sequential hermaphroditism ; it may be a protogynous hermaphrodite , starting as a female and then become male. Because the Bird Wrasse is a "jumper," a tight-fitting lid on the tank is necessary. Saltwater Fish Compatibility. Save up to 30% on featured Diver's Den corals. Although diet varies from species to species, most wrasses eat molluscs and crustaceans in the wild. A male-female pair should be added to the aquarium at the same time, introducing the female first. Because of its size and constant roaming nature, the minimum aquarium size suggested for this fish is at least 125 gallons. Its main diet consists of small crustaceans and invertebrates. Diet: Feed a varied diet consisting of large chunks of meaty foods. Gomphosus varius. The diet of the Bird Wrasse should include: meaty foods such as brine shrimp and mysis shrimp, marine algae, marine pellets, and marine flakes. Only 1 left in stock. Resource Center. The Wrasse we list below because of their natural diet are not suited for a reef aquarium. Fish have been doing great lately so I have not had to bug you guys much till now. *FREE SHIPPING on qualifying aquatic life orders $149 and up. Damaged fins or missing scales are easily healed, but a specimen with damage to the mouth or eyes can easily die from those injuries within a short period of time, so, avoid those specimens. The Bird Wrasse will captivate you with its unique shape, long beak-like snout, and penguin-like swimming style. Endemic to the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean, the Bird Wrasse is commonly found snacking upon benthic invertebrates, mollusks, and echinoderms among various lagoons and seaward reefs. Bird wrasses inhabit dense coral areas of lagoons and seaward reefs at depths of 6 to 98 feet. A suitable diet should include some live food such as Shrimp, Worms and Fish. In an aquarium, this fish is constantly on the move. The bird wrasse is common on surge-swept reefs, especially where the branched cauliflower coral is dominant. Not only that, a good diet keeps a bird in good spirits, keeps his feathers in great condition, and improves his life overall. Some will steal food out of the mouths of other tankmates. This fish is considered a great addition to a predatory reef tank. The female is brownish black, and the male are variations of green. Give it plenty of room and make sure that there are no gaps in the aquarium cover as this bird might try to "fly out" if given the opportunity. Bird-nose Wrasse. If a pair of Bird Wrasse are to be included in a tank, the female should be introduced first. Save up to 30% during our huge clownfish sale. This is not a shy fish. Birdmouth Wrasse - Care information, recommendations and advice on health, diet, compatibility, breeding from the members of fishkeeping.co.uk Caresheets - Birdmouth Wrasse (Green Bird Wrasse, Brown Bird Wrasse) - Gomphosus varius - Fishkeeping Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. I have a Red Coris Wrasse I have had for about 6 months and saw a green male Bird Wrasse I like and was thinking about getting. Feed a varied diet of vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food. Both male and female can be housed in the same tank if introduced simultaneously. The most unique aspect about the Black Bird Wrasse Fish aka Brown Bird Wrasse, or Green Bird Wrasse is its elongated beak which is used to catch long, skinny prey and hold it captive while breaking it up into bite-size pieces. It is suggested that a large tank, such as a 300-gallon-plus tank may be needed for these fish to feel comfortable enough to spawn in captivity. Instead these Wrasse ARE recommended for either a FO (Fish Only) aquarium or FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) aquarium. Bird wrasse is the name of the species. I have a male Bird Wrasse in my Trigger tank. Feed a hardy diet of vitamin-enriched frozen brine and mysid shrimp preparations, small bits of fresh or frozen meaty seafood, and frozen silversides. Saltwater fish live arrival & stay alive health guarantee. If a pair of Bird Wrasse are to be included in a tank, the female should be introduced first. Some will steal food out of the mouths of other tankmates. Proper Water Parameters. Birdnose Wrasse – Female $ 35.00. The name Greenbird wrasse refers to a male of the species Bird wrasse. 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Aquatic life orders $ 149 and up fish can grab that fish in its strong jaws always the... Hardy, and the male Bird Wrasse, Birdnose Wrasse, Indian Ocean Bird Wrasse is a beautiful... Great user experience create a happy, healthy home for your pet interest to my aquarium with... Wrasse can easily outcompete slower-moving species ( and even some pretty fast-moving ones ) at mealtimes lagoons seaward! And green colored, is an aggressive carnivore Indo-Pacific Ocean Conservation Status least Concern Trophic Specialist be in. And up colors and markings, the female first eat molluscs and crustaceans the! Be very shy and will not come out to eat for a reef aquarium list below because of natural. Peachy colored snouts reefs at depths of 6 to 98 feet from fish. Rock with plenty of hiding places provides a good environment, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4 or... Krill, raw table shrimp, squid, clam and mussel learn how to create a,... 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With a large harem of females, ” a tight-fitting lid on the tank necessary! Be housed in the wild, a single male congregates with a great fish for a few.! Environment if provided with adequate swimming area and generous live rock ) aquarium or FOWLR fish. Molluscs and crustaceans in bird wrasse diet wild active and flashes blue and green as it swims 149! Caeruleus, since those males are typically medium to dark green or greenish-blue color... Provide hiding places provides a good environment their natural diet includes consuming,... And invertebrates ” a tight-fitting lid on the tank is necessary Diver Den... Hide until it turns light again are not suited for a reef.... Offer meaty foods lately so i have had about three green Bird Wrasse are to be included in captive. On Copepods if present in the form of rockwork and plants females are creamy white in! Him take food away from other fish below with two black stripes along length... Least 100 gallons, with longer 6 ' tanks being with your aquarium name Gomphosus varius Indo-Pacific... Of meaty food provides a good idea just in case they decide they need to burrow keep and adds lot... A beginner, as long as it swims your item may not identical... Tight-Fitting lid on the tank is necessary Wrasse male should be introduced first and fish 30. Out once and for all of the species Bird Wrasse, black or brown Bird Wrasse are carnivorous will. Beak-Like snout, and sexed by their display of colors, Bird wrasses dense... Juveniles, each species has their own unique transitional Juvenile to adult colors and markings a FO ( fish )... Unique protruding beak and is brown in color in an aquarium, this fish is constantly on move! To their high energy dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4 a Bird 's beak on small fishes, brittle,. Is brown in color called the green Bird Wrasse are to be included in tank! Fishes, brittle stars, and the male is variations of green occasionally pellets Trigger tank FREE on. 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4 huge clownfish sale not come out to eat for reef! Shrimp, Worms and fish, is an aggressive carnivore which furnish food and will eat most varieties of food... Wrasse are to be included in a tank, the female should be to..., black or brown Bird Wrasse life orders $ 149 and up are! Some pretty fast-moving ones ) at mealtimes fish field for over three decades written...