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Lined coris (Coris ballieui) — Labridae

Lined coris

Coris ballieui
Family: Labridae

The Lined coris (Coris ballieui) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20–146 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Midway Is., Hawaii
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The lined coris is a wrasse (Labridae) endemic to the waters around Hawaii. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate body; females are pale grey-pink, adult males darker with greenish lines on the head. As a reef-dweller it swims actively by day over sand and rubble bottoms near reefs and picks small invertebrates; at night it buries itself in the sand. It changes sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lined coris?

The Lined coris has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly pink-purple.

Where does the Lined coris live?

The Lined coris lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Midway Is., Hawaii

How big does the Lined coris get?

The Lined coris grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Lined coris dangerous to humans?

No, the Lined 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 Lined coris edible?

Yes, the Lined coris is commonly eaten.

More photos

Lined coris (Coris ballieui) — Labridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) National Coral Reef Monitoring Program - Pacific Region, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lined coris (Coris ballieui) — Labridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) National Coral Reef Monitoring Program - Pacific Region, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lined coris (Coris ballieui) — Labridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) National Coral Reef Monitoring Program - Pacific Region, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lined coris (Coris ballieui) — Labridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) National Coral Reef Monitoring Program - Pacific Region, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Lined coris sourced
Scientific name
Coris ballieui
Family
Labridae
Other names
Lined coris; Sand wrasse; Light colored wrasse fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple sourced
Tail shape
Straight

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
20 verified
Max depth (m)
146 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Midway Is., Hawaii 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
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
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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