Fin's Fish Guide
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. Strong difference between the sexes; large males with a forehead hump; crushes hard-shelled prey
Where does the Clown coris live?
The Clown coris lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific
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. 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 Clown coris edible?
The Clown coris is rarely eaten.
More photos
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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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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Clown coris is one of 12,519 species in the app.