Red Coris Wrasse (Coris Gaimard)

The Red Coris Wrasse is a vibrant and active reef-safe species celebrated for its brilliant red body accented with unique markings. This stunning fish is a favorite among aquarists for its dynamic grazing behavior, as it actively cleans algae and detritus from live rock and sandy substrates. With a noticeable color transformation from juveniles—which often display banded patterns—to uniformly red adults, the Red Coris Wrasse adds both beauty and functionality to well-established reef and fish-only tanks. Its peaceful nature and hardiness make it an excellent addition for intermediate aquarists seeking a visually captivating species.

Care Information
Maximum Size: Up to 10 inches.
Tank Size: 125 gallons minimum; requires a spacious tank with ample swimming room, plenty of live rock for grazing, and a fine sandy substrate for natural foraging.
Diet: Primarily herbivorous; feeds on marine algae, biofilm, and detritus in the wild. In captivity, it thrives on a varied diet including seaweed sheets (nori), spirulina, and high-quality herbivore pellets. Supplemental feedings of finely chopped vegetables can help maintain its coloration and health.
Water Temp: 72-78°F.
Salinity: 1.020-1.025.
Aggression: Peaceful; generally non-aggressive and ideal for community tanks with other reef-safe species.
Skill Level: Intermediate; hardy under stable water conditions, though it requires a mature tank with abundant natural food sources.
Reef Compatibility: Reef-safe; does not harm corals or invertebrates when well-fed, making it a beneficial addition to reef ecosystems.

Special Features – Dynamic Color Transformation and Grazing Behavior
The Red Coris Wrasse is notable for its dramatic color transformation as it matures—from banded juveniles to a uniform, vibrant red adult. Its active grazing behavior helps keep the tank clean by reducing nuisance algae and detritus, thereby contributing to a balanced and healthy aquarium environment.

Compatibility
This wrasse thrives in community tanks with other non-aggressive species. It is best housed in a well-established, spacious environment that allows for ample foraging and minimizes territorial disputes. Its peaceful nature makes it an excellent choice for mixed-species reef setups.

Coloration

• Indo-Pacific Region: The Red Coris Wrasse boasts a stunning, uniform red body in adulthood, with subtle contrasting markings that hint at its juvenile banded pattern. This vivid coloration is accentuated under quality reef lighting, making it a true showpiece in any aquarium.

Typical Habitat

• Distribution: Native to the Indo-Pacific, the Red Coris Wrasse is commonly found in coral reef zones and adjacent sandy areas where it grazes on algae and detritus.
• Tank Setup: Mimicking its natural habitat, the aquarium should include abundant live rock and a fine sand substrate to provide both grazing surfaces and natural hiding places.