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Blackspot tuskfish (Choerodon schoenleinii) — Labridae

Blackspot tuskfish

Choerodon schoenleinii
Family: Labridae

The Blackspot tuskfish (Choerodon schoenleinii) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The blackspot tuskfish is a large wrasse (Labridae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 1 metre and has a robust, green-blue to grey-green body with prominent, projecting blue canine teeth and often a black spot on the back. As a bottom-oriented hunter it crushes molluscs, crustaceans and sea urchins; it is known to smash shells against rocks. Like many wrasses it changes sex. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackspot tuskfish?

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

Where does the Blackspot tuskfish live?

The Blackspot tuskfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and others

How big does the Blackspot tuskfish get?

The Blackspot tuskfish grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Blackspot tuskfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackspot tuskfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Blackspot tuskfish edible?

Yes, the Blackspot tuskfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blackspot tuskfish (Choerodon schoenleinii) — Labridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) debiiem, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackspot tuskfish (Choerodon schoenleinii) — Labridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) brendonh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackspot tuskfish (Choerodon schoenleinii) — Labridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — David Starr Jordan / Alvin Seale (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Blackspot tuskfish sourced
Scientific name
Choerodon schoenleinii
Family
Labridae
Other names
Blackspot tuskfish; Green wrasse; Black-spot tuskfish; Blue tuskfish; Purple groper; Purple grouper; Rainbow fish; Tuskfish; Wrasse; Yellow-bellied tusk-fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 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
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. 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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