All fish / Labridae

Yellow Coris Wrasse

Halichoeres chrysus

Also known as yellow wrasse, golden wrasse, canary wrasse, banana wrasse, yellow coris, canary top wrasse, golden rainbow wrasse, ムスメベラ, イエローコリス, 黄龙, 金色海猪鱼

A slim, bright yellow wrasse with a few black eyespots on the dorsal fin, which are more numerous in juveniles and females. It is popular because it is hardy, colourful, active by day and helps control pests such as flatworms and small bristleworms in reef tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Singly or one male with several females; avoid two males in smaller tanks

Diet

Carnivore: small crustaceans, mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, quality pellets and flakes

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean: Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, southern Japan

Breeding

It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, so females can change into males, and pairs spawn in the open water column releasing tiny pelagic eggs. Captive breeding is rare and raising the larvae is very difficult for home aquarists.

Good to know

It needs a deep sand bed of at least 5 cm because it buries itself at night and when stressed, and a tight lid as it can jump. Generally reef safe with corals but may eat small ornamental shrimps, snails and other tiny invertebrates.