Description
Also known as African Clown Wrasse, African Coris, False Clownfish, Sand Wrasse.
Found singly, over mixed coral, rubble and sandy areas, of exposed outer reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs.
They feed on hard shell crustaceans, invertebrates, molluscs and sea urchins.
Juveniles around algae covered rubble, exposed reef flats and in tide pools.
Length - 35cm
Depth - 1-50m
Widespread Indian Ocean
Most reef fish seen by divers during the day, are grazers, they cruise around, just above the surface of the coral, or snoop into crevices, foraging for food.
Wrasses have small protruding teeth, which they use to graze the bottom, taking in a variety of algae, crustaceans, such as crabs, eggs, shrimps, snails and worms. Any hard coats or thick shells, are then ground down by their pharyngeal jaws, and the delicacies inside digested.
From juvenile to adult, wrasses dramatically alter their colour and body shapes.
Wrasses are always on the go during the day, but are the first to go to bed and the last to rise.
Small wrasses dive below the sand to sleep, and larger wrasses wedge themselves in crevices. Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/Summary/Coris-cuvieri.html
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