Yellow coris wrasse vs banana wrasse?

[ReeferReefer]

So I'm a bit confused on identifying these yellow wrasses and what is the best to keep in a reef tank. I just want one that is reef safe and has a nice yellow color. Can anyone help me tell them apart or is it even needed when shopping? Someone mentioned I should avoid mislabeled banana wrasses?

 

[pugcrush]

You want the yellow. They are more common at the LFS. They typically haven't changed to male & are around 3" when brought in. You can notice them by their black 2 or so black dots on top fin. Banana wrasse typically have green coloring in the face (IMO, think parrotfish). They're beautiful but not for a reef tank. I believe they are more aggressive & DEFINITELY eat inverts; get much larger than a yellow.

The yellow wrasse is what everyone typically gets for their reef tank. Eventually when they turn male, they can hunt smaller inverts. However, they are a great pest control fish as they are always on the hunt.

 

[ReeferReefer]

So look for black dots and no green face. Thanks for the help.

 

[eatbreakfast]

The yellow wrasse has a more pointed face. The banana wrasse has a lunate tail.

 

[ReeferReefer]

The yellow wrasse has a more pointed face. The banana wrasse has a lunate tail.

Ok, I will try to use that when shopping. Does the black spots vs green face not differentiate them? Or can I use the pointed face in addition to help tell the difference.

 

[Pruett-nc]

Something else wild about the coris . I have one in my tank .

 

[DeniseAndy]

Banana wrasses are much bigger. Very different wrasses. As stated above, go with the yellow coris or Halichoeres chrysus not the banana or Thalassoma lutescens.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Banana wrasses are much bigger. Very different wrasses. As stated above, go with the yellow coris or Halichoeres chrysus not the banana or Thalassoma lutescens.

Yeah, that is my intent I just know they can be mislabeled and I have trouble telling the difference.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Something else wild about the coris . I have one in my tank .

Yeah it's pretty cool. My Leopard does the same thing.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Most of the physical details can 'be in addition' to other physical details. However, adult male H. chrysus develop green stripes on the face and lose the black eyespots on their dorsal.

 

[4FordFamily]

Yellow coris are far more common. Like other halichoeres, the nose is a lot more "pointed" than the banana wrasse. Size will be the easiest determinant other than color, this because I've never seen small juvenile banana wrasse available. I'm sure it's happened but I've never seen one wysiwyg or in any LFS

 

[KEITH FERGUSON]

The yellow wrasse has a more pointed face. The banana wrasse has a lunate tail.

Question will yellow coris wrasse go after my peppermint shrimp

 

[DeniseAndy]

As long as the peppermint shrimp are not tiny, I have not had issues with a yellow coris wrasse and shrimp. Banana wrasse I would not trust. Sexy shrimp may be in danger though.

 

[KEITH FERGUSON]

As long as the peppermint shrimp are not tiny, I have not had issues with a yellow coris wrasse and shrimp. Banana wrasse I would not trust. Sexy shrimp may be in danger though.

thank you....

 

[mattzang]

i just added a tiny peppermint to an established 3" or so female chrysus and 3.5" or so male h. biocellatus and they both left it alone. it probably varies fish to fish, though. some people on here have said those same wrasses will eat some CUC

 

[KEITH FERGUSON]

i just added a tiny peppermint to an established 3" or so female chrysus and 3.5" or so male h. biocellatus and they both left it alone. it probably varies fish to fish, though. some people on here have said those same wrasses will eat some CUC

thank you