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Yellow coris wrasse (also called Canary wrasse) is a brilliant solid-yellow Halichoeres with two dark dorsal spots. One of the easiest and most reliable reef-safe wrasses — accepts prepared foods quickly, hardy, peaceful with most tank mates. Eats pyramidellid snails and small worms.
Native range: Indo-Pacific. Wrasses (family Labridae) are one of the most diverse and successful fish families on coral reefs — approximately 600 described species worldwide, of which 40-60 are commonly available in the marine aquarium trade. The Yellow Coris Wrasse is part of the Wrasse (Labridae) - Halichoeres grouping, characterized by elongated body shape, terminal-phase sex change (most species), and active reef-grazing or pest-control behavior.
Tank size: 50 gallons. Sand substrate is non-negotiable for sand-sleeping wrasse genera (Halichoeres, Macropharyngodon, Anampses) — 2-3 inches of fine pool-filter sand minimum. Rockwork should provide multiple cave entrances and tight crevices the fish can wedge into for sleeping or escape. Lid: tight-fitting, gap-free. Wrasses are the second-most-common jumping casualties in reef tanks after gobies — a single 1cm gap is enough.
Flow: moderate to moderately strong is preferred by most wrasses — they evolved on current-swept reefs. Lighting: standard reef LED works for all wrasses; the fish itself does not require special spectrum.
Carnivore — mysis, brine, copepods, pellets. Most wrasses have very high metabolic rates and need 2-3 feedings daily. Skipping feedings during business travel or vacations leads to rapid condition loss — schedule automatic feeders or vendor-trusted tank-sitters for extended absences.
Safe: Most reef-safe community.
Avoid: Other Halichoeres males in tanks under 100 gallons.
Not captive bred. Most wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites — born female, transition to male as they reach social dominance in a group. Tank breeding of wrasses is rare due to the complex behaviors and pelagic egg-laying that resists captive replication.
Jumping; conspecific aggression.
Yes — coral-safe and one of the more reef-safe Halichoeres species. Will eat small inverts.
Yes — among the easiest wrasses. Hardy, accepts prepared foods, peaceful.
About 4.5 inches at maturity.
Same species — different common names for Halichoeres chrysus.
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