Choerodon fasciatus
harlequin tuskfish

Choerodon fasciatus, which is commonly called harlequin tuskfish, is found throughout the Indo-Pacific (Fenner). Specimens have been collected from Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, South Japan, New Hebrides and Taiwan (Fenner). In Australia they are found in the Great Barrier Reef from Queensland to New South Wales (the north east coast) (Australian Museum Online, 2003). (Australian Museum Online, 2003)

Choerodon fasciatus lives in lagoons that are located on the outer edges of reef areas (Melbourne Aquarium). The water temperature is about 25-28 degrees Celsius (Randall, et al, 1990). Adults will usually live together in small loose groups in caves or by reef slopes (Melbourne Aquarium). Juveniles tend to isolate themselves and will live by reef walls that drop off to channels (Melbourne Aquarium). ("Fishy Fact Files", 2000; Randall, Allen, and Steene, 1990)

The head and body of adult Choerodon fasciatus has blue lined orange/red stripes (Melbourne Aquarium). The caudal fins are yellow (Marshall). As it ages the back half of the body darkens to a dark blue/purple color (Melbourne Aquarium). The juveniles have ocelli, which are eye-like spots on the anal and dorsal fins (Australian Museum Online, 2003). These spots go away with age (Australian Museum Online, 2003). The body of a juvenile C. fasciatus also has brown banding (Australian Museum Online, 2003). A mouth full of big blue teeth is a very distinctive feature of this species (Melbourne Aquarium). ("Fishy Fact Files", 2000; Australian Museum Online, 2003; Marshall, 1964)

Being part of the wrasse family, all Choreodon fasciatus hatch as females. As they become adults, loose social groups form. Within each social group, the most dominant female undergoes physiological changes to become a male. Each group consists of one male and multiple females. When the males dies or leaves the second most dominant female becomes the male. (Melbourne Aquarium) ("Fishy Fact Files", 2000)

The lifespan of this species is unknown.

Choerodon fasciatus is not a dangerous species (Randall, et al, 1990). (Randall, Allen, and Steene, 1990)

Choerodon fasciatus like all other fishes uses the lateral line system to detect water movement (Tiscali, 2004). Choerodon fasciatus does have eyes so probably uses its eyesight to find food. (Tiscali, 2004)

Choerodon fasciatus is a carnivore. It feeds aquatic worms, crustaceans, echinoderms, and mollusks (Randall,et al, 1990). (Randall, Allen, and Steene, 1990)

Choerodon faciatus has some anti-predator adaptations. It is very brightly colored which is a warning to potential predators that its flesh could taste bad, be poisonous, or inedible (Melbourne Aquarium). Also, when feeling threatened the teeth of C. fasciatus will turn from blue to pink to warn other fish (Melbourne Aquarium). ("Fishy Fact Files", 2000)

Choerodon fasciatus is a carnivore and may affect the populations of its prey, which include mollusks, marine worms, crustaceans and other fish found in its environment (Randall, et al, 1990). (Randall, Allen, and Steene, 1990)

It is not known if Choerodon fasciatus has any sort of negative impact on humans.

This species is found in the aquarium trade (Fenner).

Choerodon fasciatus was not found on the IUCN Red List website, US Federal List website, or CITES website.

Choerodon fasciatus was first described by Günther in 1867. It was oringinally called Xiphocheilus fasciatus. The citation for this is: Xiphocheilus fasciatus Günther, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1867, p. 101. (Marshall, 1964)