The Ultimate Blue Bird Wrasse Care Guide: Keep This Stunning Reef Fish Thriving -

Discover everything you need to know about Blue Bird Wrasse care, from tank setup and diet to lifespan, max size, and compatible tank mates. A complete guide for thriving reef tanks.

Some fish are bold, some are shy, and some are simply unforgettable. The Blue Bird Wrasse falls into the last category. With its iridescent blue-green body and curious personality, this wrasse adds instant life and movement to a saltwater aquarium.

👉 Quick Answer: Blue Bird Wrasse care requires a spacious tank (at least 90 gallons), a secure lid, a varied meaty diet, and compatible tank mates. They can live up to 8 years when cared for properly.

When I first added a Blue Bird Wrasse to my reef tank, I was amazed by how quickly it explored every nook and cranny. It didn’t just swim—it patrolled, darting in and out of rockwork with a grace that reminded me of a bird in flight.

Blue Bird Wrasse Size & Max Size

👉 Short Answer: The Blue Bird Wrasse typically grows to about 8 inches, with some individuals reaching a max size of 10 inches in captivity.

Their size means they need space to roam. These are not nano-tank fish. They require open swimming areas balanced with rockwork for shelter. Think of them as the marathon runners of the reef—they need room to stretch.

💡 Tip: If you’re upgrading from a smaller tank, keep in mind that wrasses like this grow faster than you might expect. Within a year, a juvenile Blue Bird Wrasse can easily double in size.

Blue Bird Wrasse Lifespan

👉 Short Answer: Blue Bird Wrasses live an average of 5–8 years in captivity, though some aquarists have reported lifespans over 10 years with excellent care.

Their lifespan is strongly tied to diet, water stability, and tank size. Small tanks or poor nutrition shorten their lives, while larger, stable reef systems extend them.

From my own tanks, I’ve seen wrasses thrive past the 7-year mark when fed high-quality frozen foods and pellets. Skipping variety in their diet was the one mistake I made early on that led to nutritional stress.

Blue Bird Wrasse Tank Setup

👉 Short Answer: A 90-gallon tank is the minimum for a Blue Bird Wrasse, with sand substrate, rockwork, and a tightly secured lid.

Here’s the ideal setup:

Tank Size: 90 gallons minimum (120+ preferred).
Substrate: Soft sand bed for digging and resting.
Décor: Plenty of live rock with caves and swim-throughs.
Lid: Essential. Blue Bird Wrasses are expert jumpers.
Water Parameters:
- Temp: 74–78°F
- pH: 8.1–8.4
- Salinity: 1.020–1.025
Lighting: Moderate reef lighting.
Flow: Moderate flow with calmer areas.

Blue Bird Wrasse Diet

👉 Short Answer: Blue Bird Wrasses are carnivores that thrive on a protein-rich diet of frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, krill, and high-quality marine pellets.

Best foods include:

Marine Pellets – New Life Spectrum Marine Fish Pellets for balanced nutrition.
Krill & Brine Shrimp – Occasional variety foods.
Live Foods (Optional): Copepods and amphipods boost natural hunting behavior.

💡 Feeding Tip: Offer 2–3 small meals a day. Wrasses are active swimmers and burn energy quickly, so frequent feedings keep them healthy.

When I switched from only feeding frozen food to mixing in pellets, my Blue Bird Wrasse’s colors deepened noticeably. A varied diet really does show in their appearance.

Blue Bird Wrasse Tank Mates

👉 Short Answer: Blue Bird Wrasses are semi-aggressive and should be kept with medium-to-large, non-aggressive tank mates.

Good tank mates include:

Clownfish (larger varieties)
Tangs (yellow, kole, powder blue)
Angelfish (dwarf and large)
Butterflyfish
Other wrasses (with caution, avoid similar species)

Avoid housing them with:

Tiny gobies or blennies (may be bullied).
Very aggressive species like triggers or dottybacks.
Invertebrates (they may eat small shrimp or crabs).

💡 Experience Note: In my 120-gallon reef, my Blue Bird Wrasse coexisted perfectly with a Yellow Tang and Flame Angelfish, but it constantly harassed a small Firefish until I rehomed it.

Blue Bird Wrasse Behavior & Personality

👉 Short Answer: Blue Bird Wrasses are active, curious, and bold fish that spend their days exploring every inch of the tank.

They’re fascinating because they interact with their environment more than most fish. They sift through sand, dart into caves, and patrol like little reef guardians.

Don’t be surprised if they “test” new tank mates. They’re not outright bullies, but they do establish dominance.

💡 Pro Tip: Always introduce them after more timid fish have settled, not before.

Blue Bird Wrasse Breeding

👉 Short Answer: Breeding Blue Bird Wrasses in captivity is very rare and usually unsuccessful.

These fish are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start life as females and can transition to males. In the wild, harems form with one dominant male and several females.

In captivity, while spawning behavior may occur, raising fry is nearly impossible without a dedicated breeding system and live food cultures.

Blue Bird Wrasse Health & Common Issues

👉 Short Answer: They are hardy but prone to marine ich, flukes, and stress from poor tank conditions.

Prevention strategies:

Quarantine all new arrivals.
Provide a tight lid to prevent injury from jumping.
Keep diet varied to prevent malnutrition.
Monitor aggression levels to avoid stress.

From experience, my Blue Bird Wrasse once jumped through a small gap in my lid. I found him on the floor minutes later, still alive. After that, I sealed every opening with mesh netting—lesson learned.

Blue Bird Wrasse Lifespan: Extending Their Years

👉 Short Answer: Stable water parameters, a secure environment, and a varied diet are the keys to extending their lifespan.

Wrasses thrive when you eliminate stress. This means consistent water quality, safe tank mates, and a routine feeding schedule.

Think of them as high-performance athletes—they perform beautifully when conditions are right but fade quickly when neglected.

Quick Blue Bird Wrasse Care Tips

Minimum 90-gallon tank with a secure lid.
Provide sand and rockwork for natural behavior.
Feed small, protein-rich meals 2–3 times daily.
Choose tank mates wisely—avoid very small or aggressive species.
Quarantine and prevent parasites before introducing new fish.

Final Thoughts on Blue Bird Wrasse Care

The Blue Bird Wrasse isn’t just another reef fish—it’s a showstopper. With its glowing blue coloration, lively swimming, and bold personality, it quickly becomes a centerpiece in any saltwater tank.

👉 Recap of Key Points:

Size: 8–10 inches max.
Lifespan: 5–8 years (sometimes longer).
Tank Setup: 90+ gallons with rockwork and a secure lid.
Diet: Frozen mysis, krill, and quality pellets.
Tank Mates: Medium-to-large peaceful species.

If you’re looking for a hardy yet dazzling fish that will keep you entertained daily, the Blue Bird Wrasse is an excellent choice. Just give it the space and diet it deserves, and it will reward you with years of color and activity.