Common name: dahlia

Scientific name: Coris gaimard (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)
Juvenile Clown Wrasse (Coris gaimard)African coris
The Red Coris Wrasse, also known as the Clown Wrasse, Red Labrid, or Yellowtail Coris, Coris gaimardYellowtail coris, Coris gaimard, Raja Ampat Indonesia.

General information

The Yellowtail Coris, Coris gaimard, is a vibrant and active fish that adds a splash of color to any marine aquarium. Juveniles exhibit a striking pattern of white and black with orange spots, which transitions to a bright red body with blue-green markings in adults. This species is known for its remarkable ability to change sex from female to male as it matures, a process known as protogynous hermaphroditism.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
400 liter (110 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
Temperature
22 to 28 °C (72 to 82 °F)
Acidity
pH 8 to 8.4
Average size
40 cm (1′4″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Needs plenty of swimming space
Diet
Omnivore Varied diet incl. frozen and live foods
Social
Solo Can be territorial, best kept alone
Reefsafe
No May nip at corals and inverts
Aggression
Semi aggresive Territorial, especially towards conspecifics
Captive bred
No
Conservation statusSource: IUCN Red List
ExtinctThreatenedLeastConcern

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Perch-like Fishes
    Perciformes
  5. Family
    Wrasses
    Labridae
  6. Genus
    Wrasse
    Coris
  7. Species
    dahlia
    Coris gaimard (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)
  8. Synonyms
    Coris gaimard speciosa (Fowler, 1946)
    Coris gaimardi (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)
    Coris greenoughii Günther, 1861
    Coris greenovii (Bennett, 1828)
    Coris pulcherrima Günther, 1862
    Julis gaimard Quoy & Gaimard, 1824
    Julis gaimard speciosa Fowler, 1946
    Julis ganymede Bennett, 1830
    Julis greenovii Bennett, 1828
    Julis leucorhynchos Bleeker, 1856

Care

Coris gaimard requires a spacious tank with a sandy substrate to accommodate its burrowing behavior. It is an active swimmer and needs plenty of open space. This wrasse is not reef-safe, as it may prey on small invertebrates and disturb the substrate, potentially harming sessile organisms. A varied diet of meaty foods, including frozen mysis shrimp and brine shrimp, will keep them healthy and vibrant.

Reproduction

In the wild, Coris gaimard forms harems consisting of a dominant male and several females. Breeding in captivity is rare, but if conditions are right, the dominant female may transition to male, and spawning may occur. The eggs are pelagic, floating in the water column until hatching.

Habitat

Native to the Indo-Pacific region, the Yellowtail Coris can be found on coral reefs and rocky substrates from shallow lagoons to depths of over 60 meters. They are commonly seen in areas with abundant live rock or coral formations that provide shelter and foraging opportunities.