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Blackstripe coris (Coris pictoides) — Labridae

Blackstripe coris

Coris pictoides
Family: Labridae

The Blackstripe coris (Coris pictoides) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
9–55 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Timor-Leste
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Blackstripe coris is a wrasse (Labridae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm. It has a white body with a black longitudinal stripe and a blue tinge. As a bottom-oriented hunter it searches sand and reef bottoms for molluscs, crustaceans and sea urchins; when threatened or at night it dives into the sand. Like many wrasses it changes sex and colour. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackstripe coris?

The Blackstripe coris has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly white.

Where does the Blackstripe coris live?

The Blackstripe coris lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Timor-Leste

How big does the Blackstripe coris get?

The Blackstripe coris grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Blackstripe coris dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackstripe coris is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Blackstripe coris edible?

Yes, the Blackstripe coris is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blackstripe coris (Coris pictoides) — Labridae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Blackstripe coris (Coris pictoides) — Labridae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Blackstripe coris (Coris pictoides) — Labridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) meryllarkin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackstripe coris (Coris pictoides) — Labridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Blackstripe coris sourced
Scientific name
Coris pictoides
Family
Labridae
Other names
Blackstripe coris; Black-striped wrasse; Pixie coris; Pixie wrasse; Pixy rainbow-wrasse; Pixy wrasse; Wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
9 verified
Max depth (m)
55 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Timor-Leste sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Coris

More from the family Labridae

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