The Bird wrasse (Gomphosus varius), also known as the Bird wrassefish, Variable Bird wrasse, Variable wrasse, or Green birdmouth wrasse, is a species of marine fish belonging to the family Labridae. This wrasse inhabits the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans, ranging from the eastern coast of Africa to the islands of French Polynesia. The Bird wrasse is known for its stunning colors and patterns, making it a favorite among marine aquarium hobbyists. But what is the temperament of this beautiful fish really like? Here is a closer look at the typical behavior and personality traits of the Bird wrasse.
Appearance and Physical Traits
The Bird wrasse is a medium-sized fish that can grow up to 12 inches in length in the wild. It has an elongated body shape. Its most distinctive feature is its colorful pattern and markings. The background body color is usually bright green. Overlaid on the green are intricate patterns in vivid shades of blue, red, pink, orange, and black lines and blotches. The shape of the markings varies between individuals. The head often has horizontal blue stripes. There are also two black spots, one behind each eye. The fins are green and outlined in blue and red.
Males and females look identical except when the female is gravid (ready to spawn). Then she will develop a rose-pink belly. Juveniles have a black body with white and orange lines and a yellow tail. The colors transform as the fish matures.
Habitat and Distribution
In the wild, the Bird wrasse inhabits coral reefs in tropical oceans. Its range covers the Western Pacific and Indian oceans. This includes the waters of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Australia. It lives on outer reef slopes and lagoons at depths of 10 to 80 feet.
The Bird wrasse prefers habitats with rich coral growth and plenty of hiding places. It is commonly found on reefs with branching corals from the genera Acropora and Pocillopora. The wrasse hides in holes and crevices in the reef structure. At night, it secretes a mucus cocoon around itself for protection while sleeping.
Diet and Feeding Behavior
The Bird wrasse is a carnivore that feeds during the day. Its diet consists mainly of small invertebrates. Some key prey items include:
- Crustaceans – crabs, shrimp, copepods
- Mollusks – snails, clams, nudibranchs
- Worms – polychaetes, flatworms
- Echinoderms – sea stars, brittle stars, sea urchins
- Tunicates – sea squirts, salps
The Bird wrasse uses its protruding jaws to pick small prey off the substrate. It also flips over rocks and debris to uncover hiding animals. This fish hunts alone. It is constantly on the move, darting rapidly between corals and rocks while foraging.
Behavior and Temperament
The Bird wrasse displays some interesting behaviors and personality traits in the wild:
Active but Secretive
The Bird wrasse spends its days actively searching for food. But despite being active foragers, these fish are very secretive. They constantly retreat to holes and crevices between feeding bouts. Their bold patterns help them blend into the coral reef surroundings. When threatened, they can disappear in an instant.
Territory
Each Bird wrasse establishes and defends a home territory on the reef. Territories are only about 3 feet in diameter. These areas contain the hiding places they return to for shelter and sleep. They will chase other wrasses and intruders away from their territory.
Interaction with Other Species
Bird wrasses may form loose associations with certain fish species that share the same reef habitat. For example, they are sometimes seen foraging alongside damselfish, such as the Threespot damselfish. However, they do not form any tight symbiotic relationships with other reef residents. They are generally solitary outside of mating.
Reaction to Aquarists
In home aquariums, Bird wrasses tend to be very shy and easily frightened at first. They will dart for cover when anyone approaches the tank. But they can become quite bold and interactive with patience. Hand-feeding is the best way to build trust with these wrasse. Once acclimated, they eagerly come to the front of the tank when they recognize their owner at feeding time.
Aggression
Despite being shy, Bird wrasses can show aggression towards other fish in the aquarium. Males often harass each other when housed together. They will also bite at other species with similar body shapes or coloring. For this reason, care should be taken when selecting tank mates. Appropriate choices include fish that occupy different areas of the tank. Keeping only one male Bird wrasse per tank is also recommended.
Predator Avoidance
In the wild, the Bird wrasse has many predators to watch out for. These include larger reef fish like groupers, eels, snappers, and lionfish. Sharks and other large marine animals also prey on this species. When threatened, the Bird wrasse relies on its swimming speed and ability to hide for defense. It darts into crevices far too small for predators to reach into. Its bold patterns also help it disappear against the busy reef background. By staying alert and using the reef habitat for cover, this wrasse can avoid many predator attacks.
Reproduction and Lifespan
In terms of reproduction, the Bird wrasse is a protogynous hermaphrodite. This means all fish start out as females and have the ability to later transform into males. The trigger for sex change is social, rather than age/size related.
Spawning occurs in small groups consisting of a single male and several females. The male establishes a temporary territory specifically for breeding. Here, he courts females and guards the area from rival males.
During spawning, the female deposits adhesive, buoyant eggs into the water column. The eggs float upward and hatch into larvae called pelagic juveniles. These microscopic young drift with plankton until they settle onto the reef and transform into tiny replicas of the adults.
Bird wrasses can live for over 10 years in captivity with proper care. Lifespan in the wild may reach 5 to 8 years.
Summary of Bird Wrasse Temperament and Personality
In summary, the Bird wrasse displays a combination of boldness and shyness. It leads a mostly solitary, secretive existence but can become interactive when accustomed to humans over time. Key personality traits of this fish include:
- Active foraging behavior
- Secretive nature
- Territoriality and aggression towards conspecifics
- Cautiousness around other fish species
- Relies on camouflage and hiding for protection
- Can be trained to interact with aquarists
While shy and somewhat skittish initially, the Bird wrasse often becomes more confident and interactive when kept in aquariums. With time, these beautiful fish learn to associate their keepers with food and safety. Getting to know the temperament and personality of this species is one of the joys of keeping Bird wrasses.
Conclusion
The Bird wrasse has a reputation for being one of the more challenging wrasse species to keep. But setting up the right tank environment and understanding the temperament of this fish can lead to success. Key points to remember include:
- Offer plenty of live rock and reef structure for hiding
- Leave ample open swimming space
- Target feed to build trust
- Introduce tank mates cautiously
- Allow time for the wrasse to acclimate
With some patience and care, the secretive yet stunning Bird wrasse can thrive in home aquariums. Learning about the natural behavior and temperament of this species will lead to greater enjoyment of keeping Bird wrasses.
