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Venus tuskfish (Choerodon venustus) — Labridae

Venus tuskfish

Choerodon venustus
Family: Labridae

The Venus tuskfish (Choerodon venustus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 65 cm.

Length
65 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Venus tuskfish is a tuskfish (Labridae) from reef and rocky water of eastern Australia. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a robust, elongate body with prominent, often blue tusks with which it crushes shellfish, crabs and sea urchins. As a day-active, bottom-oriented fish it stirs sand and turns over stones searching for prey. Like many wrasses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Venus tuskfish?

The Venus tuskfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Venus tuskfish live?

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

How big does the Venus tuskfish get?

The Venus tuskfish grows to a maximum of about 65 cm.

Is the Venus tuskfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Venus tuskfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sierlijke tandlipvis sourced
English name
Venus tuskfish sourced
Scientific name
Choerodon venustus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Blue-spotted groper; Pink-sided tusk-fish; Roseate tusk-fish; Tuskfish; Venus tuskfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
65.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

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 verified

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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