OSTEICHTHYES: PERCIFORMES: LABRIDAE: Choerodon

Choerodon fasciata

Harlequin tuskfish

Photo & text by Dr. Robert Sprackland.

Range:

Diagnosis:

Description: A medium-sized reef fish growing to 30 cm/12 inches. There are two pairs of sharp, enlarged teeth in each jaw, and these are conspicuous even when the mouth is shut. 

The body is covered in orange-red bands, each with a pale blue border. The blue borders form 3 horizontal facial bars. The anterior four red bands (face plus three on body) are thickest, while the posterior red band are about equal in width to their blue borders. The caudal fin is pale and unmarked.

Natural History: These are residents of coral reefs around Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia. The sharp teeth are used to break apart corals and small mollusks to feed on the soft inhabitants.

Reproduction:

Taxonomy & Relationships: The taxonomy of this species is, to put it charitably, a mess. Several generic names are in use. Despite the beauty and familiarity with this species as an aquarium exhibit, little is known about tuskfishes.

Variation:

Additional Comments:

Type Specimen:

 Literature: