Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

They are semi-aggressive and highly boisterous. They will outcompete shy fish for food instantly. They make fantastic, active centerpieces for large predator displays.

Diet

Omnivore

They are aggressive carnivores that love meaty foods. Krill, chopped squid, and mysis shrimp are excellent staples. Their elongated snouts are adapted for pulling prey from crevices.

Sex ratio

Flexible

They are protogynous hermaphrodites, transitioning from female to male. The color difference between the brown females and green males is striking. It is usually best to keep a single male per tank.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

Feed them generous portions two to three times a day. Their relentless swimming pace burns calories very quickly. Ensuring a varied diet keeps their distinct colors bright.

Bioload

The Bird Wrasse produces a moderate to high bioload. They are extremely active and eat substantial amounts of food. A robust protein skimmer and strong filtration are required.

Flow

Stagnant

They thrive in high water flow environments. Strong currents mimic the dynamic reef crests they originate from. They are powerful swimmers that will not be easily blown around.

Reproduction

Oviparous

Captive breeding of the Bird Wrasse is effectively non-existent. They are pelagic spawners that release eggs into open water currents. They require massive oceanic volumes to reproduce successfully.

Compatibility & tankmates

They are generally peaceful but not reef safe with small invertebrates. They will actively hunt and eat decorative crustaceans and snails. They do very well in aggressive fish-only marine setups.

Tank level

Middle

They utilize every single level of the aquarium. They constantly patrol the rockwork and cruise the open upper water. They need a long aquarium to accommodate their endless pacing.