Coris gaimard (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)
Red or yellowtail wrasse, 40cm

These are common on shallow lagoon and seaward reefs. This is another species that undergoes considerable color change as it ages and changes sex. The red form with white saddles is juvenile. As it ages, it develops blue near the tail, which turns yellow, the white saddles fade and green streaks develop around the eye. Males are mostly dark but retain the blue posterior dots and yellow tail.

Created 26 May 2014

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