I really loved this site! It was supes fun to look at!!!!! It was crusty too
African Clown Coris
Allocoris cuvieri
Also known as: African Clown Wrasse, African Coris, False Clownfish, Sand Wrasse, Coris cuvieri
- African Clown Wrasse
- African Coris
- False Clownfish
- Sand Wrasse
- Coris cuvieri
Showing details for the adult stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.
Overview
Found singly, over mixed coral, rubble and sandy areas, of exposed outer reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs.
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.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
Where the adult stage lives, and where its photos were taken.
- Range · Indian Ocean
- Country only · 6
Found singly, over mixed coral, rubble and sandy areas, of exposed outer reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs.
Adult photos 6
Discussion 1
1 comment
- Ronda Rousey· 16 Feb 2016
Deep dive
More in the family
Wrasses (Labridae)

Axilspot Hogfish
Bodianus axillaris

Diana's Hogfish
Bodianus diana

Klunzinger's Wrasse
Thalassoma rueppellii

Peacock Wrasse
Iniistius pavo

Abudjube Wrasse
Cheilinus abudjubbe
2 photos

Adorned Wrasse
Halichoeres cosmetus

African Coris
Coris gaimard

Anchor Tuskfish
Choerodon anchorago
6 photos

Argus Wrasse
Halichoeres argus

Axilspot Wrasse
Halichoeres podostigma
1 photo
Azores Wrasse
Symphodus caeruleus
0 photos
Baldwin's Razorfish
Iniistius baldwini
0 photos

