Not Coris wrasse! This is becoming my biggest pet peeve...

[Tcook]

Hey. I just got this yellow coris. I thought they were bad for reefs.

 

[Slocke]

This one

Humphead Coris Wrasse

It is actually not from the Coris genus (Cheilinus undulatus), but since we're OK with mixing names. DO IT!

You jest but my friend may be getting one.... Thats all I can say

 

[Tcook]

You jest but my friend may be getting one.... Thats all I can say

I think the diver should be more concerned why that giant fish is looking back over its shoulder.

 

[Slocke]

I think the diver should be more concerned why that giant fish is looking back over its shoulder.

 

[KrisReef]

Everyone loves a Chorus, but most people cant get any coris wrasse?
This thread is confusing.

 

[Slocke]

Hear, hear!

Stop calling it the yellow "coris" wrasse. Instead call it the yellow "pig" wrasse.

Etymology: Halichoeres: Greek, als, alis = salt + Greek, choiros = pig
ref: Romero, P., 2002. An etymological dictionary of taxonomy. Madrid, unpublished (dictionary resides in a database).

Ergo, Halichoeres are "salt pigs". They certainly act like it!

You're certainly not wrong and they definitely need a nickname.

 

[zoomonster]

Lots of good utility wrasses for pests and I have always kept a melanurus and a sixline. Despite reputation I have had my current 6 line for close to 10 years w/o issue. However, I could not resist and added this guy who spends every waking moment hunting. Maybe he will eventually eat up all my fire and bristle worms. I lucked out and got an extraordinarily healthy specimen, a month ago, at around 3". Can't wait for the morph.

 

[rtparty]

Would a yellow pig wrasse be okay with my yellow stripe pygmy wrasse?

 

[Slocke]

Would a yellow pig wrasse be okay with my yellow stripe pygmy wrasse?

Yes if the halichoeres is added after the possum wrasse.

 

[OrchidMiss]

I mean I know this is the nerdiest of rants and no one is really walking into an LFS saying “________ on the internet told me to get a coris wrasse” and then going home with a twin spot coris.


Yep….
It is so pretty as a juvenile though

It's somewhat outrageous that it would be sold to hobbyists.

This is the photo that should be shown when selling this fish to someone with a smaller tank (under 180g)

 

[Rmckoy]

You just described my wife

While at work the other day. .
I went to the printer to copy a schematic .
The printer was sleeping.

I mumbled probably louder than I should have “ wake up ***** .

The boss asked who I was talking about

 

[rtparty]

Yes if the halichoeres is added after the possum wrasse.

The possum has been with me for a couple years total. This system is about 15 months old and it’s been in since very early on

 

[Slocke]

It's somewhat outrageous that it would be sold to hobbyists.

This is the photo that should be shown when selling this fish to someone with a smaller tank (under 180g)

Yep...
Just like the pinnatus batfish. Sold as a beautiful little black fish with orange tipped fins. Becomes a massive ugly gray thing.

 

[Borat]

I had a jade wrasse - he grew into a 5inch fish after about 3 years and was stilll growing. Very dominant fish even over tangs, i always had issues with tankmate agression towards each other (2x clowns, tomini and convict tang, coral beauty and pinkface wrasse). Now the monater is gone (had to use fishing hook to catch him) - my tank is the most peaceful ever!

 

[Slocke]

I had a jade wrasse - he grew into a 5inch fish after about 3 years and was stilll growing. Very dominant fish even over tangs, i always had issaues with tankmate agression (2x clowns, tomini and convict tang, coral beauty and pinkface wrasse). Now the monater is gone (had to use fishing hook to catch him) - my tank is the most peaceful ever!

It’s one of the big halichoeres. Don’t know why but the ones that get big are a lot more aggressive. I had similar happen with a Halichoeres hortulanus. I don’t suggest any pig wrasse that get longer then 6”

 

[i cant think]

This is Halichoeres chrysus. A small, reef safe, and very peaceful wrasse known for being beautiful, eating pests, and as a good community member.

Credit @JoJosReef

This is Halichoeres chloropterus. A larger and more aggressive wrasse but still fairly reef safe and good for bigger tanks and for some pest management.

Credit @i cant think
These are not Coris wrasse they are Halichoeres wrasse!


Coris wrasse are big, they are not reef safe, and they are not appropriate to most tanks. They will eat your inverts, bully/kill your other fish, and toss your corals around. Here are some of these beasts:
The 16" Coris gaimard is perhaps the most reasonable Coris wrasse.

The 24" Coris formosa is one of the more common species in the trade:

Finally the Coris aygula sure is cute as a juvenile but not so much as a 47" adult!

So please stop calling Halichoeres chrysus the yellow "coris" wrasse, call it the yellow wrasse.
And stop calling Halichoeres chloropterus the green "coris" wrasse, call it the jade wrasse instead.
But you can call Coris gaimard the red "coris" wrasse because that is what it is. Here is my juvenile who i bought knowing what it would become:

So next time someone tells you to get a "Coris" wrasse to solve your pest issue. Hopefully you know not to get a true coris. Get yourself a nice Halichoeres instead. I am talking to you Ryan at BRSTV:

By far the prettiest on here has to be the Chloropterus

I’ve also seen Halichoeres garnoti mislabelled as a Mediterranean Rainbow (Coris) Wrasse (Coris julis). Albeit this is rarer than the ‘Green Coris’ and ‘Yellow Coris’ wrasses.
Here’s the Garnoti;

Vs the Julis;

 

[Slocke]

Sigh

 

[i cant think]

I had a jade wrasse - he grew into a 5inch fish after about 3 years and was stilll growing. Very dominant fish even over tangs, i always had issues with tankmate agression towards each other (2x clowns, tomini and convict tang, coral beauty and pinkface wrasse). Now the monater is gone (had to use fishing hook to catch him) - my tank is the most peaceful ever!

I’ve found it depends greatly on what your tank size is, mines 4’ and that beast is still submissive to the Radiant in the same tank. I’ve also been able to add more wrasses to the tank without all out war so far. Now to hope he doesn’t turn against my word if I have to move the leopard over to add my choati.

 

[i cant think]

Yep...
Just like the pinnatus batfish. Sold as a beautiful little black fish with orange tipped fins. Becomes a massive ugly gray thing.

I still find them to be stunning especially when in a group of 3 or more.

If I had the tank size this fish would be on my list of fish I need.

 

[Slocke]

I still find them to be stunning especially when in a group of 3 or more.

If I had the tank size this fish would be on my list of fish I need.

Come visit the Georgia aquarium then. They have a big school of adults. I still don’t understand their refusal to add pretty fish to that tank but oh well.