The clown coris (Coris aygula), also known as the clown wrasse, false clownwrasse, humphead wrasse, hump-headed wrasse, red-blotched rainbowfish or twinspot wrasse,[3] is a species of wrasse native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.

Clown coris
Juvenile
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Labriformes
Family: Labridae
Genus: Coris
Species:
C. aygula
Binomial name
Coris aygula
Synonyms[2]
  • Coris angulata Lacépède, 1801
  • Labrus cingulum Lacépède, 1801
  • Hemicoris cingulum (Lacépède, 1801)
  • Julis cingulum (Lacépède, 1801)
  • Labrus aureomaculatus J.W. Bennett, 1830
  • Julis ruppelii E. T. Bennett, 1831
  • Julis gibbifrons Quoy & Gaimard, 1834
  • Julis semipunctatus Rüppell, 1835
  • Julis coris Valenciennes, 1839
  • Coris cyanea Macleay, 1883
  • Coris variegata Ramsay & Ogilby, 1887
  • Coris imbris Tanaka, 1918

Description

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This species can reach a total length of 120 cm (47 in). A marked difference in appearance is noted between juveniles and adults; juveniles are white and orange with false eyes on the dorsal fin, while adults are uniformly dark green or with light banding and developing a prominent forehead.[2]

Habitat

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C. aygula is an inhabitant of coral reefs where they prefer areas of sand or rubble at depths from 2 to 30 m (6.6 to 98.4 ft). They are generally solitary as adults, while juveniles can often be found in tide pools.[2]

Distribution

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This species can be found from the Red Sea and the African coast eastward to the Line Islands and Ducie Island and from southern Japan to Lord Howe Island.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Choat, J.H.; Pollard, D. (2010). "Coris aygula". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T187802A8632709. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187802A8632709.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Coris aygula". FishBase. August 2013 version.
  3. ^ Bray, D.J. (2017). "Coris aygula". Fishes of Australia. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
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