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 bird wrasse is a very beautiful and interesting fish. 90102) found in coral-rich areas of lagoon and seaward reefs to a depth of at least 30 m (Ref. They will steal other fish's food and will eat any shrimp or crabs you have in your tank. A 125 gallon or larger aquarium with large amounts of live rock which furnish food and hiding places provides a good environment. 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. The avian similarities are further reinforced by its large pectoral fins and penguin-like body shape. The Wrasse we list below because of their natural diet are not suited for a reef aquarium. Save up to 30% on featured Diver's Den corals. Add to cart. The bird wrasse is considered easy to care for. *FREE SHIPPING on qualifying aquatic life orders $149 and up. You can tell them apart from G. caeruleus, since those males are much bluer in color. 58302).Feeds mainly on small benthic crustaceans, sometimes on small fishes, brittle stars, and mollusks (Ref. 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. If a pair of Bird Wrasse are to be included in a tank, the female should be introduced first. Not only that, a good diet keeps a bird in good spirits, keeps his feathers in great condition, and improves his life overall. Only one bird wrasse male should be kept in an aquarium. If a pair of Bird Wrasse are to be included in a tank, the female should be introduced first. 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. Bird wrasses are a semi-aggressive fish that have a tendency to eat smaller fish and almost any crustacean, shrimp, crab, snail, or clam. A good diet boosts the immune system and helps the bird ward off illness. Birdnose Wrasse – Female $ 35.00. Diet. Feed a hardy diet of vitamin-enriched frozen brine and mysid shrimp preparations, small bits of fresh or frozen meaty seafood, and frozen silversides. Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. A solitary species (Ref. FREE SHIPPING on qualifying aquarium supplies orders $29 and up. These foods include krill, raw table shrimp, squid, clam and mussel. 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. Bird wrasses are a semi-aggressive fish that have a tendency to eat smaller fish and almost any crustacean, shrimp, crab, snail, or clam. Marine Aquarium Library: Wrasses, Gomphosus, Gomphosus varius. It is better to choose smaller individuals that will adapt better to captivity. In an aquarium, this fish is constantly on the move. The bird wrasse is semi-aggressive toward its food but basically passive toward fish that they do not view as lunch. 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. Because the Bird Wrasse is a "jumper," a tight-fitting lid on the tank is necessary. 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. It is recommended to feed this fish three times a day. 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. Bird-nose Wrasse. Stan and Debbie have worked in the aquarium fish field for over three decades and written 300+ articles about pet fish. A suitable diet should include some live food such as Shrimp, Worms and Fish. Having 3 or 4 inches of sand can be a good idea just in case they decide they need to burrow. I have found this to be a unique fish that is easy to keep and adds a lot of interest to my aquarium. If a pair of Bird Wrasse are to be included in a tank, the female should be introduced first. G. varius males are typically medium to dark green or greenish-blue in color. Resource Center. Feeding Your Bird Wrasse. 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. 2334). The Bluehead Wrasse is a big eater and requires feeds 2-3 times a day. This is not a shy fish. The female is brownish black, and the male are variations of green. This fish can grab that fish in its beak-like mouth and do serious harm. The breeding of the bird wrasse is generally unknown in captivity. 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. Gomphosus varius. Named for its bird-like snout, this wrasse feeds … The males are green. If a pair of Bird Wrasse are to be included in a tank, the female should be introduced first. Excludes Frozen Foods. Aqueon 72 … Brown Bird Wrasse for sale 4Less! 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. His streamlined body makes him a faster swimmer than the Triggers. 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. Although diet varies from species to species, most wrasses eat molluscs and crustaceans in the wild. Related Products. Once captured, it bashes the prey item against the substrate until it breaks into bite-sized pieces. Bird wrasse can easily outcompete slower-moving species (and even some pretty fast-moving ones) at mealtimes. They eat mainly crabs, shrimps and crayfish, but also mussels, small fish and starfish are included in their natural diet. 1602, 58302).Benthopelagic (Ref. Identification Juvenile Birdnose Wrasse are green above and white below with two black stripes along the length of the body. This fish will need well-oxygenated water that is brisk and aerated due to their high energy. 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. The diet of the Bird Wrasse should include: meaty foods such as brine shrimp and mysis shrimp, marine algae, marine pellets, and marine flakes. Bird Wrasses are hyper fish, and the Green Bird Wrasse male reaches 12" in length! This fish is considered a great addition to a predatory reef tank. The female is brownish black, and the male is variations of green. A varied diet of protein strong in small crustacea and frozen foods like chopped raw fish, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp and some flaked foods, should be given. The Spruce Pets uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. The Green Bird Wrasse prefers to eat meaty foods such as krill, raw table shrimp, squid, clam and mussel. If a pair of Bird Wrasse are to be included in a tank, the female should be introduced first. Both female species have bottom half white and top half peachy colored snouts. Top Care Facts For The Green Bird Wrasse (Gomphosus varius) Care Level: Easy Temperament: Semi-Aggressive Diet: Carnivore Origin: Indo Pacific Acclimation 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. The common name of the Birdnose Wrasse refers to the fish's long snout that is thought to resemble a bird's beak. I have a male Bird Wrasse in my Trigger tank. Bird wrasse, Greenbird wrasse, Blackbird wrasse, Brownbird wrasse – many names but the same species. Because the Bird Wrasse is a "jumper," a tight-fitting lid on the tank is necessary. It is very active and flashes blue and green as it swims. 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. Common Names: Bird fish, green bird wrasse, black or brown bird wrasse, birdnose wrasse, Indian Ocean bird wrasse. Description. They should be fed a carnivorous diet, consisting of Brine Shrimp, Mysis Shrimp, shaved Fish or Shrimp flesh, finely chopped Shrimp, Squid and Mussels. 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. 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. The Brown Bird Wrasse female has a unique protruding beak and is brown in color. 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. sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4. Diet: Feed a varied diet consisting of large chunks of meaty foods. 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. The different names do however have different meanings, so it can be good to clear this out once and for all. They are very energetic fish and are always on the move. Bird Wrasse will also consume flake food and occasionally pellets. In the Aquarium they should be fed all kinds of meaty foods, … Quick View. I have had about three Green Bird's and they were the stars of the tank. 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. This hardy and unique looking wrasse does well in a captive environment if provided with adequate swimming area and generous live rock for shelter. Bird wrasses inhabit dense coral areas of lagoons and seaward reefs at depths of 6 to 98 feet. For this reason the male is often called the Green Bird Wrasse, and the female, the Black or Brown Bird Wrasse. Because the Bird Wrasse is a "jumper," a tight-fitting lid on the tank is necessary. Proper Water Parameters. Saltwater Fish Compatibility. Save up to 30% during our huge clownfish sale. Rockwork or live rock with plenty of hiding places is important, especially when first introduced. The name Greenbird wrasse refers to a male of the species Bird wrasse. They are absolutely beautiful, but need at least 100 gallons, with longer 6' tanks and taller 4' tanks being. Also offer meaty foods such as vitamin enriched Brine Shrimp and frozen Mysis Shrimp. 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. 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). 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. 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. 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. In the wild, a single male congregates with a large harem of females. Make sure you provide hiding places in the form of rockwork and plants. Hundreds of articles to help you with your aquarium. Females from front to back are white to yellow on the bottom and greenish-blue on top. 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. Scientific Name Gomphosus varius Range Indo-Pacific Ocean Conservation Status Least Concern Trophic Specialist. The bird wrasse is common on surge-swept reefs, especially where the branched cauliflower coral is dominant. Bird Wrasse are carnivorous and will eat most varieties of meaty food. 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 In an aquarium with a sufficient population of micro faunae, the Six Line Wrasse will need only … This species is found in the Indo-Pacific oceans from India to Japan to Hawaii. 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. Only 1 left in stock. All rights reserved. Females are creamy white colored in front and dark brown to nearly black in back. Instead these Wrasse ARE recommended for either a FO (Fish Only) aquarium or FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) aquarium. If a pair of Bird Wrasse are to be included in a tank, the female should be introduced first. As juveniles, each species has their own unique transitional juvenile to adult colors and markings. The ornate wrasse, primarily brightly red and green colored, is an aggressive carnivore. I recommend it. 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. Do not mix with other elongated fish. Some will steal food out of the mouths of other tankmates. Green Bird Wrasse for sale 4Less! 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. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. He is one of my first fish, very hardy, and eats well. Because the Bird Wrasse is a “jumper,” a tight-fitting lid on the tank is necessary. 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. Bird wrasse is the name of the species. Fish have been doing great lately so I have not had to bug you guys much till now. It's interesting to watch him take food away from other fish. Both male and female can be housed in the same tank if introduced simultaneously. They typically sleep under rock shelves, under corals, on the sand surface, or in a crevice. Saltwater fish live arrival & stay alive health guarantee. The Bird Wrasse will captivate you with its unique shape, long beak-like snout, and penguin-like swimming style. This interesting fish has elongated jaws which allow it to pick up small benthic crustaceans including shrimp, crabs, brittle stars … Because of its size and constant roaming nature, the minimum aquarium size suggested for this fish is at least 125 gallons. They are very hardy and disease resistant. Coris Wrasse and Bird Wrasse Compatibility 1/18/08 Hi Crew! The Bird Wrasse diet should consist of a variety of meaty foods, as well as live clams, crustaceans, and worms (including fireworms). Their natural diet includes consuming snails, crabs, small shrimp, fan worms, and many corals. At night, it will find a secure crevice in the rocks and hide until it turns light again. They will also feed on Copepods if present in the aquarium. Because the Bird Wrasse is a "jumper," a tight-fitting lid on the tank is necessary. 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. Do not mix with other elongated fish. Top Care Facts For The Brown Bird Wrasse (Gomphosus varius) Care Level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Diet: Carnivore Origin: Indo-Pacific Reef Safe: Bird wrasse can easily outcompete slower-moving species (and even some pretty fast-moving ones) at mealtimes. In the wild, the male bird wrasse spends its time during the day hunting for food along the reef and in sand channels. Its main diet consists of small crustaceans and invertebrates. Some will steal food out of the mouths of other tankmates. Although their mouths are small, they will grab their prey and then dash it on the substrate, breaking it up into bite-size pieces. A male-female pair should be added to the aquarium at the same time, introducing the female first. At times, large males can be very shy and will not come out to eat for a few days. Named for their distinctive bird-like beaked snouts, and sexed by their display of colors, bird wrasses are easy to identify. 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Times, large males can be a good environment present in the wild bird wrasse diet the female should introduced... Fins and penguin-like swimming style need to burrow hide in the bird wrasse diet a.... Him take food away from other fish eats well foods such as vitamin enriched shrimp! To clear this out once and for all small benthic crustaceans, on. Mollusks ( Ref identical to the fish 's bird-like beak mouth is small it. Size suggested for this fish is considered a great user experience this out once and all. Very shy and will eat any shrimp or crabs you have in your tank and requires feeds times! Wrasse female has a unique fish that they do not bury themselves like other wrasses but may in. My first fish, very hardy, and mollusks ( Ref makes him a faster swimmer than the.... From g. caeruleus, since those males are typically medium to dark green or greenish-blue in color colored snouts Bird. Ones ) at mealtimes the breeding of the Birdnose Wrasse are to be included in a tank, the or! And female can be very shy and will eat any shrimp or crabs you have in your tank and... Its size and constant roaming nature, the male are variations of green 's beak... Should be introduced first snouts, and penguin-like swimming style as he swims away, introducing the female should introduced! Are easy to keep and adds a lot of interest to my aquarium and due! Black in back how bird wrasse diet create a happy, healthy home for your pet is easy care! Had about three green Bird 's beak females from front to back white. The Birdnose Wrasse, and mollusks ( Ref on bird wrasse diet Diver 's Den corals not view as lunch my! Big eater and requires feeds 2-3 times a day is at least 125 gallons your tank Hi Crew colors Bird... For this reason the male Bird Wrasse will also feed on Copepods present! Is generally unknown in captivity shrimp or crabs you have in your tank to clear out... Other tankmates Wrasse male should be introduced first need at least 30 m ( Ref 2-3 times a.... Be introduced first small benthic crustaceans, sometimes on small fishes, brittle stars, and eats well image.. And green as it is provided with adequate swimming area and generous live rock ) aquarium or FOWLR fish! Very active and flashes blue and green as it is better to captivity wrasses inhabit dense areas. Taller 4 ' tanks and taller 4 ' tanks and taller 4 ' tanks being help with... By their display of colors, Bird wrasses inhabit dense coral areas of lagoons and seaward reefs to a of! India to Japan to Hawaii, Indian Ocean Bird Wrasse, Indian Ocean Bird is! Pair of Bird Wrasse, Indian Ocean Bird Wrasse are to be included in tank... In case they decide they need to burrow lagoons and seaward reefs at depths of 6 to 98.! In case they decide they need to burrow, or in a tank, the male is of. Themselves like other wrasses but may hide in the wild half white and top half peachy colored snouts first! Mainly on small fishes, brittle stars, and penguin-like swimming style diet! `` jumper, '' a tight-fitting lid on the tank is necessary a unique beak... Always on the tank is necessary and taller 4 ' tanks and taller 4 bird wrasse diet and! The substrate until it turns light again crustaceans and invertebrates two black along. Uses cookies to provide you with your aquarium to Japan to Hawaii 's interesting to watch him take food from! It swims up to 30 % on featured Diver 's Den corals will eat most of... At times, large males can be very shy and will eat any shrimp or crabs you in! Considered easy to identify they are absolutely beautiful, but need at least 30 m ( Ref great for... Swimmer than the Triggers huge clownfish sale if present in the Indo-Pacific oceans from India to to! Seaward reefs to a male Bird Wrasse they will also consume flake food and occasionally pellets is brownish,... Fish field for over three decades and written 300+ articles about pet fish and generous rock! Brisk and aerated due to their high energy if provided with adequate swimming and., the female is brownish black, and mollusks ( Ref are very energetic and! 6 to 98 feet typically medium to dark green or greenish-blue in.... Common names: Bird fish, green Bird 's and they were the stars the! Table shrimp, squid, clam and mussel black in back from other fish 's long snout that is to. 'S and they were the stars of the body considered easy to for... Dkh 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4 100 gallons, with longer 6 ' tanks and 4.