Green Bird Wrasse Feeding Habits

Ev8siveaz · Nov 22, 2022

I have had made a couple of posts about my 9-inch green bird wrasse and still have another question that I would like to address regarding feed habits with anyone who has kept one in the past or is an expert with wrasses in general.

A little background. I have had this fish for about a year and a half. He has been in my aggressive tank and honestly is my favorite fish. He is incredibly active all day and is super fat. He will spend all day swimming and scouring through my live rock. He went through issues with tattered fins but that has all seemed to heal. Other than that, he has seemed really healthy and happy.

The one concern/question that I have is this. He used to eat everything in sight. He was a ferocious eater but the past couple of months he rarely goes for food in the water column anymore. Every now and then he will steal a piece of food from another fish but the main way he eats now is if I leave krill, chunks of shrimp/squid/clams either on the rocks or the sand. He wont even look at the smaller brine/PE Mysis/etc. anymore either. He doesn’t eat them right away but will eventually go and grab them from the places in the tank I put them. I don’t necessarily think that this behavior is bad as it looks/feels like he is hunting for his food, but I have always been concerned as to why he doesn’t really take food right away anymore.

I had battled some aggression in the tank and about a week ago got rid of the aggressors. I have been watching his behavior to see if his feeding habits were purely territorial and not because he is sick. I still don’t think he is sick at all and like I said before he is pretty fat. He still eats like this. Everything I have read on them says that they are supposed to eat anything that drops in. I honestly have no issues with feeding him this way, but I want to add some new fish and would be concerned that new fish may start taking the food I leave around for him since he is such a slow/picky eater, and they may not be.

Has anyone ever experienced this? Is it normal for a bird wrasse to be a picky eater or to eat like this? I had thoughts that maybe over time I have “trained” him to eat this way and that is why he is doing it. I’ve honestly never had a shy eater like this. To me it is just weird for him to be like this after over a year of eating like a pig. Like I said before, I’m not worried about him eating and not eating because he is honestly really chunky but more about what will happen if I get some new fish and he isn’t quick enough to get the food with the current eating habits. I should also add that I feed my tank (180 gallon) twice a day. Any thoughts/input would be appreciated. Thanks!

SaltyT · Nov 22, 2022

I suspect he has learned to eat this way bc of the aggressors that were in the tank. Bird wrasses will give in to their aggressors and not compete for food. Now that those have been removed he'll probably get more and more comfortable eating with the others again. But bird wrasses are pretty smart, he may just like you spoiling him lol

Ev8siveaz · Nov 22, 2022

SaltyT said:
I suspect he has learned to eat this way bc of the aggressors that were in the tank. Bird wrasses will give in to their aggressors and not compete for food. Now that those have been removed he'll probably get more and more comfortable eating with the others again. But bird wrasses are pretty smart, he may just like you spoiling him lol

@SaltyT Thanks for the input. That definitely makes sense. I guess we'll see in time if he starts to eat with the group. I definitely thought about the enjoying being spoiled part. Haha. If I were to get another fish (thinking a banana wrasse) and knowing it will be a more aggressive eater, will he adjust to make sure he gets food or will that be a problem?

I could never find an answer for how much he should really eat being that he's 9 inches long. In a sitting I will usually leave around 2-3 pieces of krill (1/4 - 1/2 inch) and either a couple 1/8th inch chunks of frozen shrimp/squid or a clam in place of the shrimp/squid to vary his diet. Thats usually twice a day and I soak all food in vitachem and selcon. Does that sounds like its appropriate for that size. I want to make sure that should be sufficient or isnt too much.

Privateye · Nov 22, 2022

The only thing I'd watch for when this happens is white, stringy poop. Then you might want to pounce on some deworming food (whether purchased or prepared) while he's still eating. If he stops altogether it may be too late. If his poop looks healthy I wouldn't be too worried though.

Ev8siveaz · Nov 22, 2022

Privateye said:
The only thing I'd watch for when this happens is white, stringy poop. Then you might want to pounce on some deworming food (whether purchased or prepared) while he's still eating. If he stops altogether it may be too late. If his poop looks healthy I wouldn't be too worried though.

@Privateye Thanks for the input. His poops come out almost like orange/brown looking tic tacs. Haha. I have never had stringy poop from him. I did do a regiment of food soaked meds (kanaplex/metroplex) not too long ago to make sure that his fins werent bacterial and also did a round of prazipro to the whole tank the prior two weeks just to make sure flukes werent the problem as well. I dont think worms are an issue with him.

SaltyT · Nov 22, 2022

Ev8siveaz said:
@SaltyT Thanks for the input. That definitely makes sense. I guess we'll see in time if he starts to eat with the group. I definitely thought about the enjoying being spoiled part. Haha. If I were to get another fish (thinking a banana wrasse) and knowing it will be a more aggressive eater, will he adjust to make sure he gets food or will that be a problem?

I could never find an answer for how much he should really eat being that he's 9 inches long. In a sitting I will usually leave around 2-3 pieces of krill (1/4 - 1/2 inch) and either a couple 1/8th inch chunks of frozen shrimp/squid or a clam in place of the shrimp/squid to vary his diet. Thats usually twice a day and I soak all food in vitachem and selcon. Does that sounds like its appropriate for that size. I want to make sure that should be sufficient or isnt too much.

Do you have any other wrasses in the tank besides the bird wrasse? If not, I wouldn’t add the banana wrasse as it could become aggressive towards the bird wrasse.

As long as your bird wrasse is plump and doesn’t show a pinched stomach or nape he’s eating just fine. I over feed my wrasses so I don’t judge others on overfeeding lol. A plump, well-fed wrasse is a healthy wrasse

Ev8siveaz · Nov 22, 2022

SaltyT said:
Do you have any other wrasses in the tank besides the bird wrasse? If not, I wouldn’t add the banana wrasse as it could become aggressive towards the bird wrasse.

As long as your bird wrasse is plump and doesn’t show a pinched stomach or nape he’s eating just fine. I over feed my wrasses so I don’t judge others on overfeeding lol. A plump, well-fed wrasse is a healthy wrasse

@SaltyT I also have a 5 inch orangeback fairy wrasse and had my lfs looking for a banana and a red coris. I had done some research and it seemed they could all work in my tank but would love your opinion if you don't think so. My lfs said since it was to be added after it should be Ok. I'd definitely like to know if that is false info so I can tell them not to get it/them.

My bird is definitely plump. Honestly all my fish are. I like to overfeed (not crazy) because I feel it leads to healthy fish as well

SaltyT · Nov 22, 2022

Ev8siveaz said:
@SaltyT I also have a 5 inch orangeback fairy wrasse and had my lfs looking for a banana and a red coris. I had done some research and it seemed they could all work in my tank but would love your opinion if you don't think so. My lfs said since it was to be added after it should be Ok. I'd definitely like to know if that is false info so I can tell them not to get it/them.

My bird is definitely plump. Honestly all my fish are. I like to overfeed (not crazy) because I feel it leads to healthy fish

If you have a fairy wrasse then a thalassoma is a no-go. The banana wrasse would probably be fine for a bit, but once it matures the fairy would likely be bullied to death and your bird wrasse would be right back where you are now. The red coris is better, but it is possible it could turn on the lone fairy wrasse once it starts to mature. I assume you have a big tank? I would consider a couple more larger fairies or some Halichoeres sp. (if you have sand) so there’s more wrasses to disperse any potential aggression.

Ev8siveaz · Nov 22, 2022

Double post...

Ev8siveaz · Nov 22, 2022

SaltyT said:
If you have a fairy wrasse then a thalassoma is a no-go. The banana wrasse would probably be fine for a bit, but once it matures the fairy would likely be bullied to death and your bird wrasse would be right back where you are now. The red coris is better, but it is possible it could turn on the lone fairy wrasse once it starts to mature. I assume you have a big tank? I would consider a couple more larger fairies or some Halichoeres sp. (if you have sand) so there’s more wrasses to disperse any potential aggression.

@SaltyT The banana that my lfs wants to order for me is already 5-6 inches. I take it that it would already be mature at that point? I should probably cancel it, huh? I have a 180 gallon. I have sand. What would the suggested stocking be for a tank that size? I really like wrasses so trying to do a tank with mainly them.

My stock list as of right now so you have an idea.
9 inch green bird wrasse
6 inch volitan lion
11 inch white eye moray
5 inch orangeback fairy wrasse (was a rehome from a friend)
5 inch bluethroat trigger
10 inch chocolate chip starfish (I've had him for 3.5 years and my other half will not let me give him up.)

SaltyT · Nov 22, 2022

Ev8siveaz said:
@SaltyT The banana that my lfs wants to order for me is already 5-6 inches. I take it that it would already be mature at that point? I should probably cancel it, huh? I have a 180 gallon. I have sand. What would the suggested stocking be for a tank that size? I really like wrasses so trying to do a tank with mainly them.

My stock list as of right now so you have an idea.
9 inch green bird wrasse
6 inch volitan lion
11 inch white eye moray
5 inch orangeback fairy wrasse (was a rehome from a friend)
5 inch bluethroat trigger
10 inch chocolate chip starfish (I've had him for 3.5 years and my other half will not let me give him up.)

At 5-6” it’ll likely already be a mature male. I would pass on it if you want other wrasses. But I’m not sure what other wrasses to suggest because I’m not familiar with your moray eel. Is your fairy wrasse safe long term with it?

Ev8siveaz · Nov 22, 2022

SaltyT said:
At 5-6” it’ll likely already be a mature male. I would pass on it if you want other wrasses. But I’m not sure what other wrasses to suggest because I’m not familiar with your moray eel. Is your fairy wrasse safe long term with it?

They stay relatively small (14 to 16 inches) and from what I understand are pebble toothed and don't really bother fish. He is a model citizen. Hasn't ever bothered any of my fish in the past year and a half and he doesn't have much left to grow. I also keep him well fed. Shouldn't be an issue with fish.

Dolphins18 · Nov 22, 2022

Ev8siveaz said:
They stay relatively small (14 to 16 inches) and from what I understand are pebble toothed and don't really bother fish. He is a model citizen. Hasn't ever bothered any of my fish in the past year and a half and he doesn't have much left to grow. I also keep him well fed. Shouldn't be an issue with fish.

While they don't often bother swimming fish, they can be a problem for wrasses that choose to sleep in the sand. I have had one for years and it only ever eats burrowing wrasses.

I too have a bird wrasse, great fish. Mine is a female though.

Ev8siveaz · Nov 23, 2022

Dolphins18 said:
While they don't often bother swimming fish, they can be a problem for wrasses that choose to sleep in the sand. I have had one for years and it only ever eats burrowing wrasses.

I too have a bird wrasse, great fish. Mine is a female though.

Not a lot of info on them out there. That is great experience to learn from and helps me a lot with my choices. Thanks for sharing. I haven't had anything that burrows so I would have never known.

Glad to see someone else with a bird wrasse. I absolutely love mine. Best fish I've ever had so far.

Ev8siveaz · Nov 23, 2022

@Dolphins18 how big is your white eye? How big were the wrasses he ate? I wanted to get a wrasse on the bigger side of things (red coris, banana, etc.) so I don't worry about my lion eating them. I know these fish can tend to bury from time to time but wondering if they were bigger if it would still be a problem.

Ev8siveaz · Nov 23, 2022

@SaltyT I wanted to find something red (hence why i was looking at the coris) and i have always thought about a cuban hogfish. From what I've seen they are a wrasse. Would that be something I could add with my bird? Not sure if you know much about them but figured I'd ask.

SaltyT · Nov 23, 2022

Ev8siveaz said:
@SaltyT I wanted to find something red (hence why i was looking at the coris) and i have always thought about a cuban hogfish. From what I've seen they are a wrasse. Would that be something I could add with my bird? Not sure if you know much about them but figured I'd ask.

Yes, you could add a cuban hogfish.