Mediterranean rainbow wrasse (Coris julis)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Coris julis
- Common name
- Mediterranean rainbow wrasse
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Labridae
- Genus
- Coris
- Size
- 15–30 cm
- Depth
- 1–120 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky, reef, seagrass
- Behaviours
- solitary, fast-moving
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Mediterranean
Description
Coris julis reaches 30 cm. Protogynous hermaphrodite with strong sexual dimorphism: females are brown with a white belly, males spectacular with a bright orange zigzag lateral line on a blue-purple background. Extremely common on all Mediterranean bottoms. Freezes then darts off at high speed. Entertains curious divers with its constant motion.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Mediterranean rainbow wrasse?
- Mediterranean rainbow wrasse (Coris julis) reaches 15–30 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Mediterranean rainbow wrasse?
- Mediterranean rainbow wrasse is found between 1–120 m deep.
- Is the Mediterranean rainbow wrasse dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Mediterranean rainbow wrasse?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Mediterranean rainbow wrasse?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Coris
- Coris aygula - Clown coris
- Coris atlantica - Atlantic rainbow wrasse
- 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 126963)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5209780)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia