Common name: Mediterranean rainbow wrasse

Scientific name: Coris julis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Mediterranean rainbow wrasse - (Coris julis)

General information

The Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse, Coris julis, is a small, colorful member of the wrasse family that is popular among marine aquarists. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males displaying more vibrant colors than females. Juveniles and females are primarily greenish with a dark stripe running along the body, while males develop a blue head, orange body, and green stripes as they mature.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
200 liter (53 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
Temperature
20 to 24 °C (68 to 75 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
25 cm (10″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Can be territorial; needs hiding spots.
Diet
Omnivore Varied diet; accepts flakes and frozen food.
Social
Solo Best kept alone to avoid aggression.
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Semi aggresive May chase smaller fish.
Captive bred
No

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
    Mediterranean rainbow wrasse
    Coris julis (Linnaeus, 1758)
  8. Synonyms
    Coris festiva (Valenciennes, 1839)
    Coris speciosa (Risso, 1827)
    Coris taeniatus Steindachner, 1863
    Julis azorensis Fowler, 1919
    Julis festiva Valenciennes, 1839
    Julis julis (Linnaeus, 1758)
    Julis mediterranea Risso, 1827
    Julis mediterranea veridula Risso, 1827
    Julis melanura Lowe, 1839
    Julis speciosa Risso, 1827
    Julis vulgaris Fleming, 1828
    Julis vulgaris Valenciennes, 1843
    Labrus cettii Rafinesque, 1810
    Labrus giofredi Risso, 1810
    Labrus infuscus Walbaum, 1792
    Labrus julis Linnaeus, 1758
    Labrus keslik Lacepède, 1801
    Labrus paroticus Linnaeus, 1758
    Labrus perdica Forsskål, 1775
    Labrus subfuscus Bloch & Schneider, 1801

Care

Rainbow Wrasses are active swimmers and require an aquarium with plenty of swimming space and rockwork for hiding. They are generally peaceful but can be territorial towards other wrasses. A varied diet of meaty foods, such as mysis shrimp and finely chopped seafood, will help maintain their health and coloration.

Reproduction

In the wild, Coris julis is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals start life as females and can change to males as they grow. In the aquarium, breeding is rare, but providing a stress-free environment with multiple hiding places can encourage natural behaviors.

Habitat

The Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse is native to the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from Portugal to Angola, including the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. They inhabit rocky and seagrass areas, often seen darting among the rocks in search of food.