Green birdmouth wrasse

Labre oiseau indien

Scientific name : Gomphosus caeruleus

Family : Labridae
Size : Up to 30 cm
Distribution : Indo-Pacific, Red Sea

Biology : The Gomphosus caeruleus lives in small groups or by itself. Its long muzzle allows it to look for, and to catch its hidden preys in the coral, mostly crustaceans, molluscs, and small fishes. It is called a birdmouth wrasse because of its winding swimming due to the flapping of its pectoral fin.
It belongs to the family of wrasses. These are hermaphrodite animals, their sex changes throughout their lives. They are born female, then, become male when the existing male disappears.

IUCN status : Least concern