Red Coris Wrasse (Coris Gaimard)

The Red Coris Wrasse (Coris gaimard) is a highly active, brilliantly colored marine fish celebrated for its dramatic transformation from vibrant juvenile patterning to a striking adult coloration. Best suited for large, mature fish-only-with-live-rock (FOWLR) aquariums, this predatory species brings dynamic movement and engaging behavior to spacious marine environments.

As an active sand-sifter and dedicated carnivore, it thrives in setups with a deep, fine-grain substrate where it can safely burrow to rest. Feeding readily on meaty marine fare, this robust species makes a standout addition alongside other large, semi-aggressive marine tankmates.

Key Features

Highlights

• Scientific Name: Coris gaimard
• Primary Common Name: Red Coris Wrasse
• Other Common Names: Clown Wrasse, Yellowtail Coris, African Coris, Gaimard Rainbow-Wrasse
• Origin: Indo-Pacific (Widespread, including Hawaii)
• Max Size: Up to 16 inches (40 cm)
• Temperament: Semi-Aggressive / Boisterous (Highly Predatory)
• Diet: Carnivore (Crustaceans, Mollusks, Inverts)
• Minimum Tank Size: 125-150+ Gallons
• Reef Compatibility: Not Reef Safe (Predatory toward inverts; highly destructive digging behavior)

Materials & care

• Diet: This is a dedicated Carnivore. Its natural diet consists almost entirely of hard-shelled benthic invertebrates, including mollusks (snails, clams), crabs, hermit crabs, and sea urchins. In the aquarium, it must be fed a variety of high-quality, vitamin-enriched, meaty frozen foods, such as Mysis shrimp, frozen silversides, krill, and chopped marine seafood. Juveniles should be fed several times daily due to their high metabolism.
• Reef Compatibility: Not Reef Safe. While they generally ignore corals, their natural foraging behavior involves flipping and moving rocks and stirring the sand, which will dislodge unmounted corals and perpetually dust them with substrate. Crucially, they will systematically hunt and consume nearly all ornamental invertebrates, including all snails, hermit crabs, shrimp, and even clam mantles.
• Temperament: Semi-Aggressive / Boisterous. They are active swimmers and generally non-aggressive toward large, robust tankmates, but they can be aggressive toward smaller, more passive fish. They are best housed with other large, aggressive fish like Tangs, Triggerfish, Groupers, and large Angelfish. They should be kept singly, or occasionally as a pair/harem if added simultaneously to a very large system.
• Tank Requirements: Due to their large adult size and high activity level, a 125-150 gallon tank is the minimum size. A secure, tight-fitting lid is mandatory as this species is a known jumper. The sand bed should be fine to medium grain (not crushed coral) and at least 4 inches deep to prevent injury when burrowing.

Compatibility

Best housed with large, robust, and semi-aggressive species such as Tangs, Triggerfish, Groupers, and large Angelfish in a fish-only-with-live-rock (FOWLR) system. It should be kept singly or added simultaneously as a pair/harem in very large aquariums; avoid keeping with small, passive fish or decorative invertebrates.

Important Fulfillment Information

Fish and corals ship Monday through Thursday. Not all fish are sexed. If so it will specify.

Once your order ships, you will receive an email with your tracking number. Refunds are always issued for any fish not shipped.

PlantedPlus operates as a collective of trusted freshwater and saltwater importers. This policy allows us to prioritize animal welfare while maintaining reliable service for our hobbyists.

Shipping Cost Disclosure

To help keep ordering live fish online affordable, Planted Plus subsidizes a portion of shipping costs. Because these costs are incurred regardless of order completion, shipping charges are non-refundable.