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.
