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Harlequin Tuskfish
Choerodon fasciatus (Günther, 1867)
A Harlequin Tuskfish at a depth of 17m, Wheeler Reef, Great Barrier Reef, off Townsville, Queensland, November 2001. View larger image.
A Harlequin Tuskfish at a depth of 14m, "Davies Reef", Great Barrier Reef, off Townsville, Queensland, November 1999. View larger image.
A Harlequin Tuskfish swimming upside down in a cave at a depth of 12m, North Solitary Island, New South Wales, May 2002. View larger image.
The Harlequin Tuskfish can be easily recognised by its striking colouration. Adults have eight blue-edged orange bands, three of which are on the head. The rear of the body darkens with age. The teeth are blue.
Juveniles have brown banding on the body and ocelli (glossary) in the dorsal and anal fins.
This species grows to 30cm in length.
It occurs on coral reefs of the Western Pacific.
In Australia it is known from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland to northern New South Wales.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
Further reading
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
