The Clown coris (Coris aygula) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 120 cm.
Description
The clown coris is a large wrasse from the Indo-Pacific, ranging from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Line and Ducie Islands. It grows to about 120 cm and shows strong sexual difference: juveniles are white with orange spots and two black eyespots on the dorsal fin, while large males become uniformly dark green with a hump on the forehead. It lives on reefs between 2 and 30 metres depth and eats hard-shelled prey such as crustaceans, molluscs and sea urchins, which it crushes with its strong jaws. The species is a protogynous hermaphrodite. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Clown coris?
The Clown coris has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a spots pattern.
Where does the Clown coris live?
The Clown coris lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.
How big does the Clown coris get?
The Clown coris grows to a maximum of about 120 cm.
Is the Clown coris dangerous to humans?
No, the Clown coris is harmless to humans.
Is the Clown coris edible?
The Clown coris is rarely eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Coris
More from the family Labridae
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