The Coris genus are commonly known as the “Rainbow-wrasses”. Even though this species, King Coris or Western King Wrasse are not so spectacular as juveniles, they are gorgeous as adults!

Pictured above is a juvenile specimen of the King Coris or Western King Wrasse, Coris auricularis. The adult male turns deep pink or red with a wide white stripe running vertically halfway up the body behind the pectoral fins. On the adult female the broad stripe turns to a fine line that is deep pink or red. On both sexes the body lightens, especially on the underside of the female.

The King Coris or Western King Wrasse are generally not aggressive towards other species and make a good addition to a community aquarium. They may, however, be aggressive towards newcomers to the aquarium once they are well established.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Actinopterygii
Order:Perciformes
Family:Labridae
Genus:Coris
Species: auricularis

Maintenance difficulty

   The King Coris or Western King Wrasse is easy to keep. Feed young specimens several times a day. Start with brine shrimp, live or frozen, and offer other protein foods as well.

Maintenance

   Feed all kinds of live, frozen, and flake foods. Best to feed small amounts several times a day. We generally feed squid, shrimp (the same kind people eat), mussels, and all kinds of chopped up fish. A good formula for wrasses is Pro-salt marine.

Habitat: Natural geographic location

   King Coris or Western King Wrasse are found in South-western Australia near the sand, from the clear coastal region into the offsore reefs, and to depths of about 45 m.

Foods

   All kinds of protein foods, formulas and flakes.

Social Behaviors

   Generally not aggressive towards other species, except new arrivals to the aquarium once they are established. Tend to be most aggressive to others of the same or similar species.

Sexual differences

   Juveniles are have a broad dark horizontal stripe that is alternated with a narrower light and dark stripe. The adult male turns deep pink or red with a wide white stripe running vertically halfway up the body behind the pectoral fins. On the adult female the broad stripe turns to a fine line that is deep pink or red. On both sexes the body lightens, especially on the underside of the female.

Recommended light levels

   We have not found this information.

Temperature

   No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish is between 74 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit.

Length/Diameter of fish

   King Coris or Western King Wrasse adults can grow to 32 cm (12.5 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size

   A minimum 40 gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong

   No special requirements.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom

   No special requirements.

Availability

   This fish is rarely available.

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Featured Image Credit: Coris auricuaris m King wrasse (Image Credit: Peter Southwood, Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported)