Yellowtail Coris
Coris gaimard
Yellowtail Coris is a colorful reef wrasse of the Indo-Pacific, with juveniles and adults looking very different. It lives on coral and rubble reefs, where it hunts small benthic animals and frequently forages in the open by day.
Identification points
- Adult has a bright yellow tail and blue-green body with pinkish to orange spotting/markings.
- Juvenile is strongly different-looking, with a black body, pale rear markings, and a prominent eyespot-like pattern near the tail.
- Large wrasse with thick lips and continuous dorsal fin; adults often show a more elongated, robust profile than many reef wrasses.
Habitat
Clear tropical coral and rocky reefs, reef slopes, lagoon patch reefs, and rubble zones; juveniles often shelter among coral heads and crevices, while adults range more openly over reef flats and slopes.
Bait notes
Not a common target species. Small pieces of shrimp, squid, clam, or worm baits may take it incidentally; tiny jigs or small soft plastics fished near reef bottom can also draw strikes.
Behavior
A diurnal, active forager that picks crustaceans, worms, mollusks, and other small invertebrates from the bottom. Juveniles may mimic cleaner wrasses; adults can be bold around reef structure and retreat quickly into cover when threatened.
Caution
Avoid repeated contact with live coral while fishing around this species’ habitat. Do not handle carelessly near spiny reef fish companions, and check local rules because reef wrasses are often not managed as food fish; ciguatera risk may apply to reef predators in some areas if eaten.
Fishing notes
Use light tackle and small offerings close to coral rubble, ledges, or sand pockets beside reef. Keep presentations natural and slow; most captures are incidental while reef fishing rather than from dedicated targeting.