Gomphosus caeruleus, commonly known as the Green birdmouth wrasse or 🇮🇳 Indian bird wrasse, is a species of wrasse that falls under the family Labridae. This particular wrasse is often found in the aquarium trade.
Originating from the 🌊 Indian Ocean, Gomphosus caeruleus can be located in regions ranging from East Africa to Natal, 🇿🇦 South Africa, and the Andaman Sea. It tends to inhabit rocky reefs and coral, predominantly in areas with a high concentration of coral in lagoon and seaward reefs. These habitats are typically found at depths between 1–35 meters (3.3–114.8 ft).
Measuring approximately 32 centimeters (13 in) in length, Gomphosus caeruleus possesses a distinctive snout that resembles a beak. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males displaying a dark blue coloration, complemented by a light blue border on their pectoral fins and lime green dorsal and anal fins. Females, on the other hand, possess a dark strip across the eye and yellow anal and caudal fins. Juveniles are characterized by a pale coloration, with a dusky streak extending from their snout to the eye and along their bodies. Differentiating Gomphosus caeruleus from a similar species, Gomphosus varius, can be achieved through their distinct distributions and physical attributes. Gomphosus varius males exhibit a bright green stripe along their flanks, females lack a yellow tail, and juveniles possess a green back. The dorsal fin of Gomphosus caeruleus contains 8 spines and 13 soft rays, while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 11 soft rays.
The diet of Gomphosus caeruleus mainly consists of small invertebrates.
Why it's threatened
Threat classification from the IUCN Red List.
