Family : Labridae (Wrasses) , subfamily: Corinae
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Queen coris
Fish Name : Coris formosa
Max size : 60.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 5213)
Environment : reef-associated
Climate : tropical; 24 - 27°C
Global Importance : fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)Distribution : Western Indian Ocean: southern Red Sea to Natal, South Africa and east to Sri Lanka.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 12-12. Terminal males reddish to lavender in color; caudal with small, dark-edged, blue-green spots, posterior margin light orange-red (Ref. 4392). Juveniles orange, head and lower part of body dark brown; 3 large, vertically elongate, broadly black-edged, white spots on dorsal part of body (Ref. 4392).
Biology : Adults found in weed, rock and coral areas; juveniles in shallow tide pools (Ref. 30573). Generally solitary (Ref. 5213). Feeds mainly on hard-shelled prey, including crustaceans, mollusks and sea urchins (Ref. 5374). Young very different (Ref. 1623)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator : Westneat, Mark
Main Ref : Randall, J.E.. 1999. (Ref. 33411)

India country information
Common Names : കൊടിയന് ഞോള, Didanagihikkae, Kodiyan-nhola
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses