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Gold-lined wrasse

Coris aurilineata

A colorful marine wrasse prized for its longitudinal golden stripes and its unique, natural behavior of burrowing into the sand bed for protection and sleep.

Taxonomy

Class:Actinopteri

Order:Perciformes

Family:Labridae

Subfamily:Labrinae

Genus:Coris

Species:Coris aurilineata

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Water Temperature

22 - 26 °C

pH Value

8.1 - 8.4

Water type

Marine

Tank level

All levels

Adult size

14 cm

Minimum tank volume

>= 250 L

Minimum group

>= 1

8 - 12 dKH

Species description

Geographical Origin and Habitat: The Gold-lined wrasse is native to the warm waters of the Western Pacific Ocean. It is commonly found throughout the Great Barrier Reef, the Coral Sea, and extends northwards to the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan. It primarily inhabits shallow protected reefs, lagoons, and sandy flats mixed with coral rubble at depths ranging from 1 to 20 meters.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Belonging to the family Labridae and the genus Coris, this species features an elongated, cylindrical, and highly streamlined body shape that facilitates quick movement and burrowing. Its terminal mouth is equipped with small, projecting canine teeth optimized for capturing benthic prey. Adults typically reach a maximum length of 14-16 cm.

Social Behavior: This wrasse is active during the day and is a continuous swimmer. It is mostly solitary and displays territorial behavior towards other males of the same species. It generally coexists peacefully with other fish families. At dusk or when startled, it dives headfirst into the sand bed, remaining completely buried until the next morning.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The body displays a green to bluish-green background striped longitudinally with bright yellow-golden bands. Sexual dimorphism is visible in mature specimens: dominant males show intensified coloration, with purple or reddish markings on the head and a dark spot near the pectoral fin base, whereas females and juveniles retain simpler, well-defined golden lines.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Aquarium Setup: A well-established marine aquarium of at least 300 liters (approximately 80 gallons) is required. The most critical requirement is a deep sand bed of at least 8-10 cm using fine, non-abrasive sand (such as soft aragonite) to support their burrowing needs. Rockwork must be securely anchored to the tank bottom to prevent collapses caused by their digging habits.

Diet and Feeding: Carnivorous and opportunistic predator. In the wild, it feeds on small crustaceans, mollusks, flatworms, and sea urchins. In captivity, it should be offered a varied, high-protein diet consisting of quality frozen foods such as mysis, brine shrimp, krill, chopped clams, and shrimp. It will also accept high-quality pellets and flakes once acclimated.

Water Quality: Maintain stable reef parameters: water temperature between 24°C and 27°C (75-81°F), pH between 8.1 and 8.4, and specific gravity between 1.022 and 1.025. Efficient filtration, a reliable protein skimmer, and routine water changes are crucial to keep organic waste, nitrates, and phosphates as close to zero as possible.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent for community tanks with moderately sized, active fish. It is not reef-safe with small invertebrates, as it will actively hunt ornamental shrimp (such as Lysmata species), feather dusters, small crabs, and snails. However, it is completely safe to keep with soft and stony corals, which it does not damage.

Aquarium Breeding: Breeding in home aquariums is extremely difficult and has not been successfully documented. In their natural habitat, they are pelagic spawners, rising into the water column in pairs or small groups to release their gametes, allowing the fertilized eggs to drift and disperse with ocean currents.

Risks and Diseases: This species is a notorious jumper; a tight-fitting lid or a mesh cover is mandatory. They are prone to skin infections and external parasites like marine ich (Cryptocaryon) if the sand bed becomes heavily contaminated with detritus or if water quality declines. Ensure quarantine protocols are followed for new specimens.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The Gold-lined wrasse is native to the warm waters of the Western Pacific Ocean. It is commonly found throughout the Great Barrier Reef, the Coral Sea, and extends northwards to the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan. It primarily inhabits shallow protected reefs, lagoons, and sandy flats mixed with coral rubble at depths ranging from 1 to 20 meters.

Origin

Tropical oceans and reefsEast AsiaAustralia, New Guinea, and Oceania

Fish profile

Temperament: Active
Diet: Carnivore
Sex ratio: Solitary
Feeding frequency: Twice daily
Bioload: These wrasses have a moderate to high bioload. They are very active and eat constantly. Efficient mechanical and biological filtration is needed.
Flow: Strong
Jump risk: Yes
Reproduction: Oviparous
Compatibility & tankmates: Community
Tank level: All levels

FishBase

Window to the official scientific data of the species

Data synced on: 06/15/2026

Scientific Parameters & Models

Trophic level: 3.4 ± 0.3 se
Resilience: High (less than 15 months)
Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50): 0.5
Bayesian Length-Weight: a = 0.00977, b = 3.07

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

Related species

Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.

Variants and close relatives

Same atlas type, nearby scientific identity, genus, or family.

Clown wrasse

Coris aygula

Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Origin

Fish profile

Scientific Parameters & Models

Image gallery

Related species

Variants and close relatives

Clown wrasse

Elegant coris

Queen coris

Yellowtail Coris

Mediterranean rainbow wrasse

Comb Wrasse

Sandeyer Wrasse

Candystripe Hogfish

Deep-water Wrasse

Flame wrasse

Pyle's fairy wrasse

Scott's wrasse

Blackear Wrasse

Crescent-tail Hogfish

Eightline flasher wrasse

Girdled Wrasse

Recommended companions

Antillean hermit crab

Arethusa Hermit Crab

Bahia Cleaner Shrimp

Boschma's hermit crab

Cook's hermit crab

Danai's hermit crab

De Man's Hermit Crab

Feather Duster Worm

Lysmata prima shrimp

African snapping shrimp

Anker's Cleaner Shrimp

Armed Snapping Shrimp

Blood-spotted Hermit Crab

Bouvier's snapping shrimp

Camel shrimp

Chapin's Hermit Crab

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