Harlequin tuskfish

Harlequin tuskfish
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Labriformes
Family:	Labridae
Genus:	Choerodon
Species:	C. fasciatus
Binomial name
Choerodon fasciatus (Günther, 1867)
Synonyms[2]
Xiphochilus fasciatus Günther, 1867 Lienardella fasciata (Günther, 1867) Lepidaplois mirabilis Snyder, 1908 Choerodon balerensis Herre, 1950

The harlequin tuskfish, Choerodon fasciatus, is a species of wrasse native to the western Pacific Ocean. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade.

Description

The harlequin tuskfish grows to length of 30 cm (12 in).^[2] It is a brightly colored marine fish with shades of blue, green, and orange. It has sharp blue teeth. The specimens found in Australia generally have brighter coloration.

Diet

The harlequin tuskfish is a carnivore, eating mostly benthic invertebrates such as echinoderms, crustaceans, molluscs, and worms.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

This species is found in the western Pacific Ocean in two separate areas. One is from the

In the aquarium

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The harlequin tuskfish is a moderately difficult fish to maintain in captivity. Juveniles can be shy and easily bullied by aggressive tankmates, while adults will be quite aggressive.[3] At a minimum, they should be kept in a 120-gallon tank for a single specimen. They will accept frozen and meaty foods such as brine shrimp, mysis, and shellfish. It is a semi-aggressive fish and ideal tankmates would include angels, tangs, and small triggerfish. However, it will not tolerate its own kind, so there should be only one specimen per tank. They are not reef-safe. Although they will typically not nip at corals or sessile invertebrates, they will attack and consume crabs, hermit crabs, snails, and shrimp.^[4]

A reef temperature of 25–28 °C (77–82 °F) is ideal for maintaining the harlequin tuskfish.^[2]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Choerodon fasciatus.