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Red Coris Wrasse

Coris gaimard

Also called African coris, Clown wrasse, Yellowtail wrasse

SpeciesShort profile

From Tropical Indo-Pacific reefs: from Christmas Island and the Cocos-Keeling Islands east to the Society and Tuamotu islands, north to Japan and Hawaii and south to Australia12

At a glance the quick version

Length20 to 40 cm123
Sizelarge
Dramatic colour change from juvenile to adult
Large, bold and eye-catching display fish
Curious forager that turns over rubble looking for food
231

Looks how to spot one

Elongated reef wrasse with a big change in looks from juvenile to adult

Young fish are bright red-orange with large white saddle spots edged in black, a look that makes them popular. As they grow they change completely: adults have a speckled body that shifts from green at the front to dark blue dotted with bright blue at the back, an orange face with green stripes, colourful fins and a bright yellow tail. Most stay around 20 cm, though the species can reach about 40 cm.231

Coloursred-orange with white spots (juvenile)orange face with green stripesgreen to dark blue bodybright blue specksyellow tail23

Personality what they are like

A confident, semi-aggressive wrasse. Young fish get along with most tankmates, but adults are robust hunters that are best kept with fish of similar size and spirit rather than with small invertebrates.3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

An active swimmer that roams the tank by day and buries itself in the sand to sleep at night or when it feels unsure.3

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Needs a soft sand bed deep enough to dig into; a retailer advises against a coarse crushed-coral bottom. Feed varied meaty foods and keep stable marine water.3

Home where they are happiest

A large fish-only or fish-with-rock aquarium, about 125 to 130 US gallons (roughly 470 to 490 L) as a minimum. Saltwater at about 22 to 26 °C, pH 8.1 to 8.4, specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025, dKH 8 to 12. In the wild it lives on mixed coral, sand and rubble of reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs, down to about 50 m.31

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A carnivore. Wild fish eat mainly molluscs, crabs and hermit crabs, sometimes tunicates. In aquariums offer enriched frozen mysis and brine shrimp and good marine flakes or pellets.13

Company who they like around

Usually solitary in the wild and best kept as a single fish; pairs form for breeding.1

The story where it all began

The species was described in 1824 by the French naturalists Quoy and Gaimard, and its scientific name honours Gaimard. Its striking juvenile colours made it a long-standing favourite in marine aquariums, and it is also shown in public aquariums.21

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    Juveniles look like a completely different fish from adults, red-orange with white saddles, before turning green, blue and yellow as they mature.2

  2. 2

    It sleeps buried in the sand and also dives into the sand when startled.3

  3. 3

    In the Indian Ocean it is replaced by a close relative, Coris cuvieri.1

  4. 4

    Adult females are recognised by their bright yellow tail fin.1

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List
Least Concern (assessed 2008)1

The care rhythm a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a Red Coris Wrasse. A starting point, not a vet's advice.

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Red Coris Wrasse?

Feed small amounts once or twice a day, as Furry Diary's starting plan suggests. This keeps your wrasse active and healthy without overfeeding. Pet Wiki plan

What does a Red Coris Wrasse eat, and what should it never eat?

It's a carnivore that enjoys enriched frozen mysis and brine shrimp, plus good marine flakes or pellets. Never feed it small invertebrates like crabs or shrimp, as adults will hunt them.13

How much space does a Red Coris Wrasse need?

A minimum of 125 to 130 US gallons (about 470 to 490 L) is recommended for a fish-only or fish-with-rock aquarium. This gives your wrasse room to swim and explore.31

What temperature, light or water does a Red Coris Wrasse need?

Keep saltwater at 22 to 26 °C, pH 8.1 to 8.4, specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025, and dKH 8 to 12. Provide a soft sand bed deep enough for burrowing, and stable marine conditions.31

How often should I clean a Red Coris Wrasse's home?

Furry Diary's plan suggests a weekly glass clean and water test, with a 10 to 20% water change every two weeks. Daily top-ups with fresh RO water help maintain stability. Pet Wiki plan

Can a Red Coris Wrasse live with others?

Young fish are peaceful with most tankmates, but adults become semi-aggressive and are best kept with fish of similar size and spirit. Avoid small invertebrates, and keep only one wrasse unless a breeding pair forms.31

How long does a Red Coris Wrasse live?

Lifespan varies with care and environment; for specific expectations, ask your exotic-pet vet or a good breeder. With proper conditions, they can live many years.

Can I handle a Red Coris Wrasse?

It's best not to handle this fish, as it can be stressed and may injure itself. It prefers to swim freely and burrow in the sand for safety.3

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Yellow Coris Wrasse

Where this comes from

Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? support@petwiki.app.

  1. FishBase: Coris gaimard, African coris fishbase.seused for distribution, size, depth, habitat, diet, IUCN status, social behaviour
  2. Wikipedia: Coris gaimard en.wikipedia.orgused for common names, description history, colour phases, aquarium use
  3. LiveAquaria: Red Coris Wrasse liveaquaria.comused for aquarium care, tank size, water parameters, temperament, diet, sand bed

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.