Atlantic rainbow wrasse (Coris atlantica)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Coris atlantica
- Common name
- Atlantic rainbow wrasse
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Labridae
- Genus
- Coris
- Size
- 15–35 cm
- Depth
- 5–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, sand
- Behaviours
- solitary
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia
Description
Coris atlantica reaches 35 cm. Wrasse (Coris) tropical East Atlantic (Senegal to Angola, Cape Verde). Terminal males with blue-green body with pink-orange patterns on head and red-purple sinuous lines on flanks, more discreet red-orange females. Protogynous hermaphrodite. Lives from 5 to 50 m on rocky reefs and coastal sands. Tropical cousin of Coris julis (already in base batch 3) and Coris aygula (batch 11). Predator of small benthic invertebrates. Iconic photo subject of Cape Verde and West African coast dives.
Photo of Atlantic rainbow wrasse
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Atlantic rainbow wrasse?
- Atlantic rainbow wrasse (Coris atlantica) reaches 15–35 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Atlantic rainbow wrasse?
- Atlantic rainbow wrasse is found between 5–50 m deep.
- Is the Atlantic rainbow wrasse dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Atlantic rainbow wrasse?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Atlantic rainbow wrasse?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia.
Other species in the genus Coris
- Coris julis - Mediterranean rainbow wrasse
- Coris aygula - Clown coris
- Coris gaimard - Yellowhead Wrasse
- Coris formosa - Elegant Coris Wrasse
- Coris pictoides - Pictured Coris Wrasse
Other species in the family Labridae
- Cheilinus undulatus - Humphead wrasse
- Labrus bergylta - Ballan Wrasse
- Sparisoma cretense - Mediterranean parrotfish
- Symphodus mediterraneus - Axillary wrasse
- Symphodus rostratus - Pointed-snout wrasse
- Symphodus ocellatus - Ocellated wrasse
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 273547)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5209820)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia