Gomphosus caeruleus
| Gomphosus caeruleus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male | |
 | |
| Female | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Labridae |
| Genus: | Gomphosus |
| Species: | G. caeruleus |
| Binomial name | |
| Gomphosus caeruleus Lacepède, 1801 | |
Gomphosus caeruleus, the green birdmouth wrasse, is a species of wrasse belonging to the family Labridae. It can be found in the aquarium trade.
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. It looks very similar to the congener Gomphosus varius, with which it is often confused, but it can be distinguished by the coloration and the distribution.
Ecology
Diet
It feeds on small invertebrates.