Clown Wrasse - Coris gaimard
Clown Wrasse (Coris gaimard)
The Clown Wrasse is a dramatic, fast-growing marine wrasse known for one of the most striking juvenile-to-adult colour changes in the hobby. Juveniles are bright red-orange with bold white saddles edged in black, while adults develop a far more colourful mix of green, blue, orange and pink, finished with a bright yellow tail. In the wild it inhabits exposed outer reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs with a mix of coral, sand and rubble. In captivity it is an active, intelligent fish, but its eventual size, strong feeding response and tendency to hunt invertebrates mean it is best suited to a very large, mature marine system.
Common Name:
Clown Wrasse. It is also commonly known as the Yellowtail Coris Wrasse, Yellowtail Coris or Gaimard Wrasse.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Coris gaimard
Maximum Size:
Up to 38–40 cm in length.
Water Type:
Marine.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found from Christmas Island and the Cocos-Keeling Islands east to the Society and Tuamotu Islands, north to Japan and Hawaii, and south to Australia. It is a reef-associated species found in mixed coral, sand and rubble habitats on outer reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
These are sensible stable aquarium conditions for long-term captive care of this species.
Temperament:
Semi-aggressive to aggressive. This species becomes bolder and more dominant as it matures, and it can be a risk to smaller fish and timid tankmates in undersized systems.
Diet:
Carnivorous. In the wild it feeds mainly on molluscs, crabs and hermit crabs, with tunicates and forams also recorded. In captivity it should be offered a varied diet of substantial meaty marine foods such as mysis, chopped crustacean foods and other protein-rich fare.
Minimum Tank Size:
A very large aquarium is required long term, and 475 litres or more is a sensible practical starting point, with larger systems strongly preferred as the fish grows.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is a highly active, diurnal wrasse that spends much of the day patrolling the aquarium and hunting through rockwork and substrate. It is also a burrowing species, so a sand bed is important for security and resting behaviour. Juveniles and adults look completely different, which is worth bearing in mind when buying a small specimen.
Reef Safe:
Not Reef Safe
This species is an effective hunter of crustaceans, worms, clams and other invertebrates, and it is far better suited to a fish-only or carefully planned predator-style marine system than a reef aquarium with decorative invertebrates.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a very large, well-established marine aquarium with secure rockwork, a fine sand bed and a tight-fitting lid. It is much easier to manage when introduced as a juvenile, but buyers should plan for its full adult size and behaviour from the start.
Suitable for:
Experienced fishkeepers. This recommendation is based on its adult size, strong predatory behaviour, need for sand and the scale of aquarium required for long-term care.
Availability:
Occasional in trade.
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
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Product Information
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Clown Wrasse - Coris gaimard
Clown Wrasse - Coris gaimard
Clown Wrasse (Coris gaimard)
The Clown Wrasse is a dramatic, fast-growing marine wrasse known for one of the most striking juvenile-to-adult colour changes in the hobby. Juveniles are bright red-orange with bold white saddles edged in black, while adults develop a far more colourful mix of green, blue, orange and pink, finished with a bright yellow tail. In the wild it inhabits exposed outer reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs with a mix of coral, sand and rubble. In captivity it is an active, intelligent fish, but its eventual size, strong feeding response and tendency to hunt invertebrates mean it is best suited to a very large, mature marine system.
Common Name:
Clown Wrasse. It is also commonly known as the Yellowtail Coris Wrasse, Yellowtail Coris or Gaimard Wrasse.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Coris gaimard
Maximum Size:
Up to 38–40 cm in length.
Water Type:
Marine.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found from Christmas Island and the Cocos-Keeling Islands east to the Society and Tuamotu Islands, north to Japan and Hawaii, and south to Australia. It is a reef-associated species found in mixed coral, sand and rubble habitats on outer reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
These are sensible stable aquarium conditions for long-term captive care of this species.
Temperament:
Semi-aggressive to aggressive. This species becomes bolder and more dominant as it matures, and it can be a risk to smaller fish and timid tankmates in undersized systems.
Diet:
Carnivorous. In the wild it feeds mainly on molluscs, crabs and hermit crabs, with tunicates and forams also recorded. In captivity it should be offered a varied diet of substantial meaty marine foods such as mysis, chopped crustacean foods and other protein-rich fare.
Minimum Tank Size:
A very large aquarium is required long term, and 475 litres or more is a sensible practical starting point, with larger systems strongly preferred as the fish grows.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is a highly active, diurnal wrasse that spends much of the day patrolling the aquarium and hunting through rockwork and substrate. It is also a burrowing species, so a sand bed is important for security and resting behaviour. Juveniles and adults look completely different, which is worth bearing in mind when buying a small specimen.
Reef Safe:
Not Reef Safe
This species is an effective hunter of crustaceans, worms, clams and other invertebrates, and it is far better suited to a fish-only or carefully planned predator-style marine system than a reef aquarium with decorative invertebrates.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a very large, well-established marine aquarium with secure rockwork, a fine sand bed and a tight-fitting lid. It is much easier to manage when introduced as a juvenile, but buyers should plan for its full adult size and behaviour from the start.
Suitable for:
Experienced fishkeepers. This recommendation is based on its adult size, strong predatory behaviour, need for sand and the scale of aquarium required for long-term care.
Availability:
Occasional in trade.
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
Clown Wrasse (Coris gaimard)
The Clown Wrasse is a dramatic, fast-growing marine wrasse known for one of the most striking juvenile-to-adult colour changes in the hobby. Juveniles are bright red-orange with bold white saddles edged in black, while adults develop a far more colourful mix of green, blue, orange and pink, finished with a bright yellow tail. In the wild it inhabits exposed outer reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs with a mix of coral, sand and rubble. In captivity it is an active, intelligent fish, but its eventual size, strong feeding response and tendency to hunt invertebrates mean it is best suited to a very large, mature marine system.
Common Name:
Clown Wrasse. It is also commonly known as the Yellowtail Coris Wrasse, Yellowtail Coris or Gaimard Wrasse.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Coris gaimard
Maximum Size:
Up to 38–40 cm in length.
Water Type:
Marine.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found from Christmas Island and the Cocos-Keeling Islands east to the Society and Tuamotu Islands, north to Japan and Hawaii, and south to Australia. It is a reef-associated species found in mixed coral, sand and rubble habitats on outer reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
These are sensible stable aquarium conditions for long-term captive care of this species.
Temperament:
Semi-aggressive to aggressive. This species becomes bolder and more dominant as it matures, and it can be a risk to smaller fish and timid tankmates in undersized systems.
Diet:
Carnivorous. In the wild it feeds mainly on molluscs, crabs and hermit crabs, with tunicates and forams also recorded. In captivity it should be offered a varied diet of substantial meaty marine foods such as mysis, chopped crustacean foods and other protein-rich fare.
Minimum Tank Size:
A very large aquarium is required long term, and 475 litres or more is a sensible practical starting point, with larger systems strongly preferred as the fish grows.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is a highly active, diurnal wrasse that spends much of the day patrolling the aquarium and hunting through rockwork and substrate. It is also a burrowing species, so a sand bed is important for security and resting behaviour. Juveniles and adults look completely different, which is worth bearing in mind when buying a small specimen.
Reef Safe:
Not Reef Safe
This species is an effective hunter of crustaceans, worms, clams and other invertebrates, and it is far better suited to a fish-only or carefully planned predator-style marine system than a reef aquarium with decorative invertebrates.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a very large, well-established marine aquarium with secure rockwork, a fine sand bed and a tight-fitting lid. It is much easier to manage when introduced as a juvenile, but buyers should plan for its full adult size and behaviour from the start.
Suitable for:
Experienced fishkeepers. This recommendation is based on its adult size, strong predatory behaviour, need for sand and the scale of aquarium required for long-term care.
Availability:
Occasional in trade.
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
