Clown Wrasse, Coris gaimard (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)

Scientific name: Coris gaimard
Alternative name/s:
Gaimard Rainbow-wrasse, Gaimard's Wrasse, Red-finned Rainbowfish, Yellowtail Coris
Coris gaimard Click to enlarge image
A juvenile Yellowtail Coris at a depth of 14m, Joan Reef (just south of Rodda Reef), far northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, December 2001. Image: E. Schlögl
© E. Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Coris
    Species
    gaimard
    Family
    Labridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to 40 cm in length.

Introduction

Juvenile Clown Wrasse can be recognised by their distictive colouration. The species occurs in tropical marine water of the Western and Central Pacific.

Identification

The Clown Wrasse 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.

Habitat

It is found in coral, sand and rubble areas of coral reefs and lagoons.

Distribution

The species occurs in tropical marine water of the Western and Central Pacific.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  5. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  6. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
  7. 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.