Harlequin Tusk - (Choerodon fasciatus)

The Harlequin Tusk originates from the reefs of the Indian Ocean and Australia. Indian Ocean Tusks have orange stripes with white margins and a hint of blue adjacent to the tail of the fish. Australian Tusks have orange stripes with vivid blue margins starting from the pectoral fin, along the fishes back to their tail. Both of these beautiful color forms have bright blue teeth or tusks used to crunch invertebrates. They are a wonderful fish for a FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) aquarium. These fish are typically shy when at a small size, but will in time gain personality and confidence as they mature. Juveniles live on steep reef walls. Adults sometimes live in small groups around overhangs and caves on reef slopes.

Tuskfish start life female. The dominant female within a group of tuskfish undergoes a physical sex change to become male, and lives with the remaining females as his harem. Should the dominant fish die, he will be replaced by the next most dominant female. Theoretically, this means that if you buy a group of tiny ones you'll eventually get a harem. However, given the large size and territoriality of this species, this isn't advisable in general.

The Harlequin tuskfish is a member of the wrasse family Labridae. It undergoes a color change as it matures. Juveniles are paler and have black spots on the fins. The rear half of the tuskfish gets darker as it gets older. There are are usually eight orange stripes with blue-edging. It is sometimes still referred to under the old name Lienardiella.

A 125 gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of live rock for hiding places and moderately aggressive, active fish such as Angels, Tangs, Wrasse, and smaller Triggers is an acceptable environment. Keep only one specimen per tank. Although they will not bother corals, they will eat any small crustacean such as snails or crabs.

The Harlequin Tusk Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food. The Harlequin tuskfish has very strong, pointed fang-like teeth, the tips of which are bright blue in color. It uses these to crush mollusks, crustaceans, bristle worms, urchins and starfish. Captive specimens take most chunky foods, from whole shrimp to cockles, squid and chopped fish. Watch your fingers if feeding by hand.

Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons

Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: With Caution

Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size: 10"

Color Form: Blue, Orange

Diet: Carnivore

Origin: Patchy distribution through the western Pacific from Taiwan to the Great Barrier Reef and northern New South Wales, Australia.

Family: Labridae