Elegant Coris Wrasse

(Coris venusta)

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 Elegant Coris Wrasse are sometimes also known as Venustus Wrasse. Somewhat commonly seen in the aquarium trade. Males will be green to a dull brown with red stripes on its head and body. Females are similarly colored but more subdued. Elegant Coris Wrasse can grow up to almost 6".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 100 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: CareModerateModerate CareEasyEasy
  • Behavior: BehaviorSocialSocial
  • Diet: DietFrozen FoodFrozen Food DietLive FoodLive Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef HabitatSand FlatSand Flat
  • Light: LightHighHigh