{"product_id":"birdnose-wrasse-female","title":"Birdnose Wrasse Female | Gomphosus varius","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Birdnose Wrasse (Bird Wrasse) is an active, athletic wrasse named for its long, beak-like snout, which it uses to probe rock and rubble for prey. It is a fast, endlessly busy fish with real personality. The female shown here is the brown-bodied phase; over time a dominant individual can transform into the striking blue-green male. Keep a tight-fitting lid, as bird wrasses are strong jumpers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, the Birdnose Wrasse is associated with coral-rich reefs, reef flats and lagoons of the Indo-Pacific. It ranges actively over the reef by day, poking its long snout into crevices to extract small crustaceans, molluscs and worms. Replicating this environment means providing plenty of open swimming space, mature live rock with crevices to hunt through, and a sand bed. This is an active fish that needs room to cruise rather than a small, heavily decorated tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe female (initial phase) is brown, usually paler underneath, with the distinctive elongated snout. Males develop a striking blue-green body and an even longer snout. The species reaches around 30 cm, so its adult size and swimming needs must be planned for. Colour and body are best in a healthy, active fish. Healthy specimens are constantly on the move, well-filled through the body and quick to feed, without cloudy eyes, pinched bellies or damaged fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as semi-aggressive and highly active. It can become bolder with age and may harass smaller or more timid tank mates. Suitable companions include tangs, rabbitfish, angels, larger wrasses and other robust reef and fish-only species. It is not reef safe: it will eat ornamental shrimp, small crabs, snails, feather dusters, small hermit crabs and similar invertebrates, so it belongs in a fish-only system or a robust setup without prized mobile invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed as a carnivore. Offer a varied diet of frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, chopped prawn, squid, mussel and other meaty marine foods, plus quality marine pellets once accepted. Its high activity level means it benefits from feeding once or twice daily. Most individuals feed readily and enthusiastically, and ongoing hunting across the rockwork supplements prepared foods. A varied diet supports colour, weight and long-term health.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor long-term success, provide a minimum aquarium size of 300 L, with 450 L or larger recommended for this active swimmer's adult size. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Moderate to strong flow suits it. Lighting can match the system. Provide mature live rock with crevices, open swimming lanes and a sand bed. Strong filtration, protein skimming and regular water changes of 10–20% are recommended. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as bird wrasses are accomplished jumpers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in the home aquarium is uncommon and not normally expected. The Birdnose Wrasse is a protogynous hermaphrodite: individuals begin as females and a dominant fish can transform into a male. They are pelagic spawners, releasing eggs into the water column, and the delicate larvae require specialised planktonic rearing beyond normal home aquarium keeping. For most keepers the focus should be on long-term health, correct feeding and low stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGomphosus varius\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBirdnose Wrasse (Bird Wrasse) — Female\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific coral reefs, reef flats and lagoons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–12 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive and highly active\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; meaty frozen foods and marine pellets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFish-only and robust marine systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot reef safe (eats invertebrates)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include tangs, rabbitfish, angels, larger wrasses and other robust reef and fish-only species of similar size and confidence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with ornamental shrimp, small crabs, snails, feather dusters and other mobile invertebrates, very timid fish that may be harassed, and open-top tanks without a secure lid.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234141651235,"sku":null,"price":72.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234141684003,"sku":"BA8688","price":82.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55234141716771,"sku":null,"price":92.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-28cm)","offer_id":55351941726499,"sku":null,"price":102.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Birdnose_Wrasse_Female_Gomphosus_varius_d7a15e96-d560-49d2-8760-62367678d184.jpg?v=1781681550","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/birdnose-wrasse-female","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}