
H. Zell · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Bird Wrasse
Gomphosus varius
Reef Safe
Reef Safe
The Bird Wrasse is a curious, fast-moving fish named for its elongated beak-like snout that it uses to pick invertebrates from rockwork and sand.
It needs 75+ gallons with open swimming space; it is active throughout the day and will become lethargic and pale in a cramped tank without room to cruise.
Do not keep it with ornamental shrimp, small crabs, or bristle worms you value; the beak is designed for precisely this kind of prey and it is effective at finding them.
Feed frozen mysis, chopped squid, and meaty foods twice daily; it adjusts to aquarium life quickly and is generally a hardy, long-lived wrasse once established.
Field Notes
Related species

Blue Velvet Damselfish
Paraglyphidodon oxyodon

Paccagnella's Dottyback
Pictichromis paccagnellae

Azure Damselfish
Chrysiptera hemicyanea

Banana Wrasse
Thalassoma lutescens

Blackcap Basslet
Gramma melacara

Cinnamon Clownfish
Amphiprion melanopus

Clark's Clownfish
Amphiprion clarkii

Desjardini Sailfin Tang
Zebrasoma desjardinii
Love this species? No tank needed.
Reef art from the shop — for the wall, not the tank.
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