Brown Bird Wrasse - Small

Wrasse Brown Bird

The Bird Wrasse has different common names for each sex due to different colouration. The name Brown Bird Wrasse applies to females of the Gomphosus various species. Colouration is white with black dots at the front of their body darkening to brown or black toward the tail.

Male counterparts known as Green Bird Wrasse are various shades of emerald green. Both sexes have the same unusual body shape with a long snout-like nose. The purpose of their nose is to find small crustaceans such as crabs or mollusks in coral. They can also use it to find prey in rocks, crevices, sand, and algae. Adults can grow to 12 inches (30 centimeters), although females are usually a bit smaller.

Details of breeding in captivity are scarce. However, possible mating rituals have been observed in a tank. The male and female, swim rapidly between rockwork, both with their top fin erect. They come together at the surface and, after making contact, release gametes.

This species' natural habitat is across the Indo-Pacific. Locations include the Eastern Indian Ocean, Southern Japan, Fiji, Tonga, and Hawaii. They inhabit coral-rich areas, in reefs and lagoons, between depths of 2-30 meters.

Tank Recommendations for Bird Wrasse
The suitable tank size for Bird Wrasse should be at least 6 feet long and 125 gallons (473 litres).

They are not reef safe; the best option is a Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR) tank. Sand substrate is useful as they sometimes hide in it. They also need plenty of rockwork or live rock which has hiding places.

We recommend a secure lid as Bird Wrasse will jump out.

Suitable Tank Buddies
Bird Wrasse is semi-aggressive, but only to animals that are part of its diet. It has a peaceful temperament with most other fish. But its' speed and activity may intimidate some of the more peaceful individuals.

Usually Compatible
Conspecifics as a male/female pair, or one male and a group of females. The tank size will need to increase to more than 150 gallons and 200 gallons, respectively. Semi-aggressive fish such as Clownfish, Anthias, Angels, and Tangs. Aggressive fish (over 3 inches long) such as Damsels, Dottybacks, Lionfish, and Groupers.

Sometime Compatible
Peaceful fish such as Gobies, Dartfish, and Fairy Wrasse needs monitoring. Smaller fish or more docile individuals may be intimidated or eaten.

Rarely Compatible
Avoid housing with slow swimmers such as Seahorses and Pipefish. Crustaceans and invertebrates are part of the Bird Wrasse's diet. Starfish, Worms, Oysters, Clams, Crabs, Shrimp, and Snails are all at risk of being eaten.

Feeding Your Bird Wrasse
Bird Wrasse is carnivorous and will eat most varieties of meaty food. A suitable diet should include some live food such as Shrimp, Worms, and Fish. Also, offer meaty foods such as vitamin-enriched Brine Shrimp and frozen Mysis Shrimp. Bird Wrasse will also consume flake food and occasionally pellets. They need feeding several times per day.