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Bluespotted tuskfish (Choerodon cauteroma) — Labridae

Bluespotted tuskfish

Choerodon cauteroma
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Bluespotted tuskfish (Choerodon cauteroma) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 36 cm.

Length
36 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The bluespotted tuskfish is a wrasse (Labridae) from the waters around Australia. The species has a robust, greenish to brownish body with blue spots and lines and conspicuous, protruding canine teeth ('tusks'). Adults live inshore on sand and weed areas adjacent to coral reefs. With its strong jaw teeth it digs in the sand and cracks hard-shelled prey such as molluscs, crustaceans and sea urchins. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluespotted tuskfish?

The Bluespotted tuskfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Bluespotted tuskfish live?

The Bluespotted tuskfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Bluespotted tuskfish get?

The Bluespotted tuskfish grows to a maximum of about 36 cm.

Is the Bluespotted tuskfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bluespotted tuskfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Bluespotted tuskfish edible?

Yes, the Bluespotted tuskfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwstip-tuskvis sourced
English name
Bluespotted tuskfish verified
Scientific name
Choerodon cauteroma
Family
Labridae
Other names
Tuskfish; Yellow tuskfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
36.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Choerodon

More from the family Labridae

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