Red Coris Wrasse

Overview

The Red Coris Wrasse is a large, robust wrasse whose juveniles display a bright orange-red body with distinctive black-ringed white spots, transforming dramatically into a more subdued green-blue adult colouration as they mature. This striking colour change often surprises first-time buyers expecting the vivid juvenile pattern to be permanent.

It's a hardy, active wrasse useful for hunting pest bristleworms and other nuisance invertebrates, making it popular with keepers dealing with an outbreak, though its adult size means it needs considerable planning before purchase.

Given its large adult size and active nature, it does best in a large, well-established tank with a soft, sufficiently deep sand bed for its nightly burrowing habit.

Compatibility

Red Coris Wrasses can be semi-aggressive, particularly toward other wrasses of similar size and shape, and may become territorial as they mature. They generally coexist well with tangs, angelfish, and other robust community fish.

This species is rated reef safe with caution — while it won't touch stony or soft coral, it will actively hunt small crustaceans and worms, posing a risk to ornamental shrimp and other small invertebrates in the display.

Health & quarantine

This is a hardy, adaptable wrasse with few chronic health issues, though like most wrasses it's a capable jumper, so a secure lid is important. A minimum four-week quarantine is recommended good practice, and this species generally acclimates and feeds well without major issues.