Coris gaimard (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)
African coris
Bankilan,  Lulukdayan,  Yellowtail coris,  Balaki,  Banog,  Bunak,  Bungat,  Buntugon,  Danlugan,  Isdang bato,  Labayan,  Lampalampa,  Lubay-lubay,  Lubayan,  Mameng,  Maming,  Maringyan,  Mol-mol,  Mul-mul,  Pilo-pilo,  Pirat-pirat,  Tamago,  Tausay,  Verde verde
Coris gaimard
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Corinae
Max. size:  40 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: Christmas and Cocos-Keeling Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Society and Tuamoto islands, north to Japan and the Hawaiian Islands, south to Australia. Replaced by Coris cuvieri in the Indian Ocean (Ref. 37816).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 12-12. Juveniles easily recognized by their striking coloration. Females have a bright yellow caudal fin (Ref. 48636).
Biology:  A solitary species (Ref. 90102) found in areas of mixed coral, sand and rubble of exposed outer reef flats, lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 1602, 48636). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeds mainly on mollusks, crabs, and hermit crabs, and occasionally on tunicates and forams (Ref. 1602). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 October 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  reports of ciguatera poisoning
Country info:  Recorded in TaƱon Strait (Ref. 107276). Known from Puerto Princesa, Palawan (Ref. 58652), Calatagan, Batangas (Ref. 107852), Lanuza Bay (Ref. 104756), Bongo Island and Paril-Sangay Protected Seascape, Moro Gulf (Ref. 106380), and Bantayan Is. in northern Cebu (Ref. 114734). Fifteen specimens were collected during the 1985 Smithsonian expedition from the Batanes Is. Museum: Sulu Archipelago, Jolo Group, SU 25938. Mindanao, Zamboanga, FMNH 32569. Siquijor I., USNM uncat. Negros, USNM 277034. Dumaguete, SU 25936. Cangaluyan I., LACM 37434-2. Santiago I., LACM 42481. Cebu, AMNH 50313; USNM 152417. Mindoro, Puerto Galera, SU 38732. Luzon, USNM 152317. Manila, SMF 12460 (Ref. 33411). Also Ref. 1602, 48613, 53416, 121724.


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.