African Queencoris Wrasse

African Queencoris Wrasse

Queencoris Wrasse or Coris gaimard belong to the family Labridae. Queen Coris are members of a group of fish that are collectively referred to as wrasses. There are approximately 50 individual species within this grouping. This wrasse can be found on practically every reef throughout the Red Sea, the Indo-Pacific, and all the way to Hawaii.

Queencoris Wrasse  Adult species can easily grow to a length of 14 inches in their natural habitat. They rarely exceed 6 or 7 inches in an aquarium. Juveniles and adults look drastically different. Juveniles are almost larvae like in shape. They have bright reddish, orange bodies with large, irregular white ovals outlined in black on their backs. Their anal and dorsal fins grow as they mature until they take on more of a fish-like appearance. Adults are predominantly reddish in color often with a purple overcast. They have neon blue speckles all over their bodies and green stripes on their face. Their caudal fins are bright yellow. These fish are marketed by the aquarium trade under various names including; red coris wrasse, red coris, clown wrasse, red labrid, and yellow-tail coris.

This is a moderately aggressive species. They do not normally bully their tanks mates. However they should only be housed with fish of similar size and lesser temperament. Multiples may be housed together as juveniles but may demonstrate territorial behavior as they mature.  Queens are not suitable for marine reef setups. They will view most of the bottom dwellers typical of a marine reef as a source of nutrition.