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Robust tuskfish (Choerodon robustus) — Labridae

Robust tuskfish

Choerodon robustus
Family: Labridae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Robust tuskfish (Choerodon robustus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
40.0–80.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The robust tuskfish is a wrasse from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a deep, robust, red-brown to greenish body with blue accents and protruding, tusk-like teeth. As a reef-dweller it searches over sand and rubble bottoms and reefs for molluscs, crustaceans and sea urchins, which it crushes with its strong teeth. Like many wrasses it is a protogynous hermaphrodite. It is a local food fish. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Robust tuskfish?

The Robust tuskfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Protruding tusk-like teeth; protogynous hermaphrodite

Where does the Robust tuskfish live?

The Robust tuskfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific

How big does the Robust tuskfish get?

The Robust tuskfish grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Robust tuskfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Robust 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 Robust tuskfish edible?

Yes, the Robust tuskfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Robust tuskfish (Choerodon robustus) — Labridae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Robust tuskfish (Choerodon robustus) — Labridae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Robust tuskfish (Choerodon robustus) — Labridae — 4
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Robust tuskfish (Choerodon robustus) — Labridae — 5
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
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All data

Identification

English name
Robust tuskfish verified
Scientific name
Choerodon robustus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Robust tuskfish; Wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
40.0 verified
Max depth (m)
80.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Molluscs, crustaceans and sea urchins inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Reef-dwelling tuskfish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Protruding tusk-like teeth; protogynous hermaphrodite sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Handlines sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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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