Comb Wrasse Care Guide
Coris picta is a small subtropical wrasse from eastern Australia with a black-and-white striped body; juveniles act as cleaner fish.
Overview
The comb wrasse (Coris picta) is a wrasse of the family Labridae from the western Pacific. It has a white body with a prominent black stripe running from the mouth through the eye to the tail, its lower edge wavy and comb-like. The species reaches about 25 cm in total length.
Taxonomy
- Family: Labridae
- Genus: Coris
- Scientific name: Coris picta
- Described by Bloch & J. G. Schneider, 1801
Habitat
Coris picta occurs in the western Pacific off eastern Australia and near offshore islands of northeastern New Zealand. It lives over sandy substrates around rock reefs at depths of about 3 to 25 m, in subtropical waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Maximum size: about 25 cm
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
- Sand bed for burying
Diet
Juveniles function as cleaner fish, obtaining much of their food by removing parasites from other reef fish; their contrasting stripe advertises this service. The diet is supplemented with small crustaceans.
Compatibility
This is a relatively peaceful, diurnal wrasse for a Coris, swimming in the middle column. It suits robust tank mates such as tangs and cardinalfish and benefits from a sand bed for resting.
Reef compatibility
Coris picta feeds on small crustaceans and other invertebrates, so it is generally not safe with ornamental shrimp and small invertebrates in reef systems. Specific gravity 1.024-1.026, carbonate hardness 8-12 dKH.
Conservation status
The IUCN Red List assesses Coris picta as Least Concern. It appears in the aquarium hobby.