Harlequin Tuskfish
TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Labridae: (Wrasses)
Genus/species Choerodon fasciatus
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Vertical, broad, bright orange bands interspersed with blue bands. Black caudal peduncle, white tail. Dorsal and pelvic fins orange. As it ages the back half of the body darkens to a dark blue/purple color. The mouth has large blue teeth is a very distinctive feature.
Length up to 30 cm (12 in).
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Found in the Western Pacific among seaward reefs, 5–35 m (15-100 ft). Usually solitary.
DIET IN THE WILD: Tuskfish have protruding canines used for moving rubble to expose invertebrate prey and prying mollusks from the substrate. Hardshelled prey is crushed by pharyngeal teeth. They feed on mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans, worms.
REPRODUCTION: Pelagic spawners, initial males spawn in large groups; terminal males are usually territorial and pair spawn with females of their choice. Females change sex into males for their terminal phase.
CONSERVATION: IUCN Least Concern
REMARKS: Wrasses are most easily identified by their pointed snouts and prominent canine teeth that protrude in front of the jaw. Other common characteristics include their form of propulsion, which depends mostly on the winglike motion of the pectoral fins with only an occasional burst of speed provided by the caudal fin. Color, markings and body shapes change during maturation.
References
California Academy of Sciences Philippine coral reef 2016
Ron's flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/13468909953/in/set-7215...
Ron's Wordpress Shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-BV
fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/Choerodon-fasciatus.html
IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/187511/0
EOL eol.org/pages/206009/details
8-22-12, 1-31-14, 6-16-16
Harlequin Tuskfish
TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Labridae: (Wrasses)
Genus/species Choerodon fasciatus
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Vertical, broad, bright orange bands interspersed with blue bands. Black caudal peduncle, white tail. Dorsal and pelvic fins orange. As it ages the back half of the body darkens to a dark blue/purple color. The mouth has large blue teeth is a very distinctive feature.
Length up to 30 cm (12 in).
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Found in the Western Pacific among seaward reefs, 5–35 m (15-100 ft). Usually solitary.
DIET IN THE WILD: Tuskfish have protruding canines used for moving rubble to expose invertebrate prey and prying mollusks from the substrate. Hardshelled prey is crushed by pharyngeal teeth. They feed on mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans, worms.
REPRODUCTION: Pelagic spawners, initial males spawn in large groups; terminal males are usually territorial and pair spawn with females of their choice. Females change sex into males for their terminal phase.
CONSERVATION: IUCN Least Concern
REMARKS: Wrasses are most easily identified by their pointed snouts and prominent canine teeth that protrude in front of the jaw. Other common characteristics include their form of propulsion, which depends mostly on the winglike motion of the pectoral fins with only an occasional burst of speed provided by the caudal fin. Color, markings and body shapes change during maturation.
References
California Academy of Sciences Philippine coral reef 2016
Ron's flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/13468909953/in/set-7215...
Ron's Wordpress Shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-BV
fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/Choerodon-fasciatus.html
IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/187511/0
EOL eol.org/pages/206009/details
8-22-12, 1-31-14, 6-16-16