Common name: Elegant wrasse

General information

The Venustus Wrasse, also known as the Clown Coris or Yellowtail Coris, is a vibrant and active fish that adds a splash of color to any marine aquarium. Juveniles exhibit a striking pattern with a white body adorned with black spots and orange lines, while adults develop a greenish-blue body with a bright yellow tail. This species is known for its remarkable transformation from juvenile to adult, which includes not only a color change but also a change in habitat preference.

Care

Venustus Wrasses require a spacious tank with a sandy substrate to accommodate their burrowing behavior. They are known to jump, so a tightly fitting lid is essential. These wrasses are generally peaceful but can become territorial, especially towards conspecifics. They thrive on a varied diet of meaty foods, including frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and quality marine flake and pellet foods.

Reproduction

In the wild, Venustus Wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start life as females and can change to males as they mature. In the aquarium, breeding is rare, but establishing a harem with one male and several females may increase the likelihood of observing reproductive behaviors.

Habitat

Juvenile Venustus Wrasses are commonly found in shallow, protected lagoons and coral-rich areas of the reef, while adults prefer deeper, surge-prone zones. They are widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, from East Africa to the central Pacific Ocean.