Pinklined Wrasse, Coris dorsomacula (Fowler, 1908)

Scientific name: Coris dorsomacula
Alternative name/s:
Pale-barred Coris, Pink-lined Coris, Pink-lined Rainbow Wrasse, Spotfin Wrasse
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    16/04/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Pinklined Wrasse Click to enlarge image
A Pinklined Wrasse at a depth of 14 m, North West Solitary Island, New South Wales, October 1995. Image: Ian Shaw
© Ian Shaw

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Coris
    Species
    dorsomacula
    Family
    Labridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 22 cm in length.

Introduction

Adult Pinklined Wrasse have narrow pale bars crossing the sides of the body. The species occurs in tropical and temperate marine waters of the Western Pacific.

Identification

Adult Pinklined Wrasse have narrow pale bars crossing the sides of the body. There are two pinkish stripes along the belly that break into blotches above the anal fin. On the caudal fin there is a boomerang-shaped red band. The cheek is crossed by two pink stripes and there is usually a spot on the operculum that often has a yellow border posteriorly.

Juveniles have a simpler pattern that becomes more complex with growth. They have narrow pale bars on the side of the body and often a brownish stripe along the head and body. They usually have a yellow-bordered spot on the operculum.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical and temperate marine waters of the Western Pacific. In Australia it is known from the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland to the southern coast of New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  5. Kuiter, R.H. 2002. Fairy and Rainbow Wrasses and their Relatives. A Comprehensive Guide to Selected Labroids. TMC Publishing. Pp. 208.
  6. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.