Coris caudimacula (Quoy & Gaimard, 1834)
Spottail coris
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Corinae
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 57 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: northern Red Sea south to East London, South Africa and east to the northwest coast of Australia, extending to Shark Bay; including Green Island.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 12-12. Head with irregular bands; opercular flap with a black spot edged with yellow on posterior part; body with 4 pink salmon stripes, sometimes with broad dark bars on upper side; large diffuse blackish spot at base of caudal fin (Ref. 4392).
Biology:  Found usually in sandy or algal-rich areas near reefs or in seagrass beds. Feeds on amphipods, tanaids, pelecypods, brachyuran crabs, gastropods and polychaetes (Ref. 33411).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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