Green Bird Wrasse (Juvenile)

Distribution and habitat

This tropical species of wrasse is native to the Indian Ocean, from East Africa south to Natal, South Africa, and east to the Andaman Sea. It occurs on rocky reefs and coral, especially in coral-rich areas of lagoon and seaward reefs.

Description

Gomphosus caeruleus can reach a length of about 32 centimetres (13 in). Body is oval, rather elongated and laterally compressed. In adult specimens the snout is very long. This species has 8 dorsal spines, 13 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines and 11 anal soft ray. The basic coloration is blue with lighter fins in males. In females, however, the snout is brown above and white below, the back is gray and the belly, the anal fin and the caudal fin are yellow. Juveniles pale with dark streak from snout through eye onto body. Differs from similar Gomphosus varius (Birdnose Wrasse) differs by location, and by bright green streak on side in males, lack of yellow tail in females, and green back in juveniles.

Diet

It feeds on small invertebrates.