Gomphosus is a small genus of wrasses native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Taxonomy Although classified as its own genus, the genus Gomphosus is nested within the genus Thalassoma, rendering the latter paraphyletic. This close affinity is reflected by the fact that in the wild, Gomphosus will sometimes create hybrid offspring with Thalassoma species. In 2025, it was proposed that all species in Thalassoma should be transferred to Gomphosus.
A potential third species of bird wrasse, Gomphosus klunzingeri Klausewitz 1962, has variably been considered its own species, a subspecies of G. caeruleus, or a synonym of the former. It is endemic to the Red Sea.
Species The currently recognized species in this genus are: Gomphosus caeruleus Lacépède, 1801 (green birdmouth wrasse) Gomphosus varius Lacépède, 1801 (bird wrasse)
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