ANIMAL SPECIES:Yellowtail Coris, Coris gaimard (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)
The Yellowtail Coris can be recognised by its colouration. It is red to green with small bright blue spots on the body. The head is brownish with orange lines. The caudal fin is yellow. Large males have a green bar on the body above the anal fin origin. Juveniles are red to orange with three black-edged white saddles on the back. There are two similar but smaller markings on the head.
Identification
The Yellowtail Coris can be recognised by its colouration. It is red to green with small bright blue spots on the body. The head is brownish with orange lines. The caudal fin is yellow. Large males have a green bar on the body above the anal fin origin.
Juveniles are red to orange with three black-edged white saddles on the back. There are two similar but smaller markings on the head.
Size range
It grows to 40 cm in length.Distribution
The species occurs in tropical marine water of the Western and Central Pacific.
Habitat
It is found in coral, sand and rubble areas of coral reefs and lagoons.
Classification
- Species:
- gaimard
- Genus:
- Coris
- Family:
- Labridae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
- Westneat, M.W., 2001 Labridae. Wrasses, hogfishes, razorfishes, corises, tuskfishes. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem (Eds). FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 6. Bony Fishes part 4 (Labridae to Latimeriidae), estuarine crocodiles, sea turtles, sea snakes and marine mammals. FAO, Rome. Pp. iii-v, 3381-4218.
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A juvenile Yellowtail Coris at Joan Reef View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
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