Description

The Yellow Coris Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus) is a vibrant, active, and hardy wrasse species that’s popular in saltwater aquariums for its bright color and pest-control benefits. It’s one of the more beginner-friendly wrasses.

🐟 Yellow Coris Wrasse Description:

• Scientific Name: Halichoeres chrysus

• Common Names: Yellow Coris Wrasse, Canary Wrasse, Golden Wrasse

• Origin: Indo-Pacific (Fiji, Indonesia, Great Barrier Reef)

• Size: Up to 5 inches (12–13 cm)

• Coloration:

  • Juveniles: Solid bright yellow with black ocelli (false eyes) on the dorsal and sometimes tail fin

  • Adults: Bright yellow throughout, sometimes lose the ocelli with age

• Temperament: Peaceful, active swimmer

• Lifespan: 5–8 years with good care

🧪 Tank Requirements:

• Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons (30 gallons for juveniles short term)

• Water Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)

• pH Level: 8.1–8.4

• Specific Gravity: 1.020–1.025

• Water Hardness: 8–12 dKH

• Substrate: Fine sand (at least 2–3 inches) – they burrow into it to sleep and hide

• Aquascape: Open swimming space with rockwork for foraging

🍤 Diet:

• Carnivorous – Natural pest controller; also eats:

  • Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp

  • Marine pellets and flakes (enriched with protein)

  • Small crustaceans, worms, flatworms (natural forager)

Feed 2–3 times daily.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Compatibility:

• Reef Safe: Yes – doesn’t bother corals or most inverts (may eat tiny shrimp or flatworms)

• Tankmates:

  • Does well with peaceful to semi-aggressive fish

  • Avoid highly aggressive or large predatory fish

  • Can be kept with other wrasses if introduced carefully and tank is large

💡 Care Tips:

• Sandbed is essential – without it, the wrasse can become stressed and ill

• Excellent at controlling pests like flatworms and pyramid snails

• A known jumper – secure, tight-fitting lid is required

• May hide for several days when first introduced or stressed