THE STEINHART AQUARIUM - Gulf of Guinea Science ...

170 A Docent Field Guide to the Species of the Steinhart Aquarium
lens that lets the fish have a magnified view
of their small prey.
Bird Wrasse
Gomphosus varius (Labridae)
Wrasses
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: East Africa to
Hawaiian Islands, north to southern Japan,
south to Australia.
Habitat: Found in lagoons and seaward reefs
at depths 2–30 m.
Appearance: The common name refers to the
fish’s long snout, which is said to resemble a
bird’s beak. This species, like many wrasses,
changes appearance as it matures. During the
juvenile phase it is blue above and white below.
The snout is short. In the next phase, called the
initial phase, most or all are females, and they
are white with a black spot on each scale. The
caudal fin is black and the top of the snout is
orange. During the terminal phase, a dominant
male becomes blue green. The caudal fin has a
bright blue crest. The male can grow to 30 cm.
Females to about 20 cm.
Diet: Although its mouth is small, it can grasp
prey in its strong jaws and smash it against the
substrate until its meal is broken into bit-sized
pieces. In captivity, brine and mysid shrimp
and worms satisfy this non-avian “bird”.
Reproduction and Development: Males
are territorial, and females live within these
territories. The male will perform a mating
dance and then both sexes release gametes.
The larvae are planktonic.
Remarks: Like other wrasses, the bird
wrasse can be recognized by its characteristic
swimming pattern: the pectoral fins move up
and down in a “flying” motion.
Yellow Wrasse aka Canary Wrasse
Halichoeres chrysus (Labridae)
Wrasses
Distribution: East Indo-Pacific: Christmas Island
to Marshall Islands; north to Japan, south
to Australia.
Habitat: Sand and rubble edges of reefs. Depth
6–60 m; usually below 20 m.
Appearance: Length to 12 cm. Color canary
yellow, head with distinctive light-green
bands. Males have a single white-rimmed
black spot on dorsal fin; females have two
black, light yellow-rimmed spots.
Diet: Small worms, snails, crustaceans; may eat
parasites off other fishes.
Reproduction and Development: Pelagic
spawners; protogynous hermaphrodites.
Remarks: Relatively uncommon; often form
small groups.
Adult male and female appear similar, very
atypical of wrasses.
Like many wrasses, these fish typically burrow in
the sand at night or anytime to escape predators.
Yellowhead Wrasse
Halichoeres garnoti (Labridae)
Wrasses
Distribution: Western Atlantic; Bermuda and
southern Florida to southeastern Brazil.
Habitat: Commonly found on shallow and deep
reefs and exposed ledges at depths from 2–80 m.
Appearance: Adults are blue above the lateral
line and have a yellow belly. Juveniles are
yellow with a silvery blue stripe along the
side. Terminal male: head and forebody varies
from bright yellow to yellowish tan; dark blue
to green rear body and tail; two or more lines
radiate from rear of eye. Max. size: 19 cm.
Diet: Various invertebrates.
Reproduction and Development: Protogynous
hermaphrodite. During breeding males form
leks (a gathering of males to attract females by
competitive display).
Mortality/Longevity: Preyed upon by other
fishes such as groupers and snappers.
Remarks: Curious; easily attracted by divers.
Diurnal; swim constantly during the day and
rest at night.
Pastel Green Wrasse
Halichoeres chloropterus (Labridae)
Wrasses
Distribution: West Central Pacific: Philippines
to the Great Barrier Reef.
Habitat: Shallow protected coral reef on silt,
sand and rubble bottom.
Appearance: Juveniles lime green; females
pale green above and white below, with a
thin dark line on the base of the pectoral fin.
Terminal males greenish with pink spots of the
side of the body, and irregular bands of pink
and green on the head. Max. size: 19 cm.
Diet: Hard-shelled prey, including mollusks,
crustaceans, and sea urchins.