African Coris Wrasse

(Coris cuvieri)

Coris Wrasse are known as Rainbow Wrasses with the males being more colorful and a bit larger than the females. Juvenile Rainbow Wrasse are generally reef safe but as they mature can start being a bit destructive. Harems can be kept in the aquarium with 1 male and several females if added at the same time. Provide an aquarium with ample rock work, cracks, crevices and caves for hiding and resting. Coris Wrasse are burrowers and need a thick sand bed to sleep and rest in. They spend a great deal of time turning over rock and coral rubble in search of crustaceans. Adults should be fed twice a day large amounts of meaty foods with juveniles being fed a few more times daily. Avoid adding smaller more peaceful fish as the Coris Wrasse may harass them. Wrasse are hermaphrodites meaning they start as juveniles/females but at some point in their life may turn into a male. Wrasse may jump provide an aquarium with a tight fitting lid.

The African Coris Wrasse are sometimes also known simply as African Wrasse. Rarely seen in the aquarium trade. Male, female and juveniles color may differ with males generally having a dark green with a bit of red marks on its head, females are an overall dark green color. Spottail Coris Wrasse can grow up to almost 14".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 150 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

  • Care: CareEasyEasy CareModerateModerate
  • Behavior: BehaviorAgressiveAgressive BehaviorSocialSocial
  • Diet: DietLive FoodLive Food DietFrozen FoodFrozen Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef HabitatSand FlatSand Flat
  • Light: LightHighHigh