Harlequin Tuskfish

The Harlequin Tuskfish (Choerodon fasciatus) is a large, colorful wrasse in the family Labridae, notable for its prominent protruding tusk-like teeth, which give the species its common name. It is native to the western Pacific, including the Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia, and parts of the Coral Triangle. The species is not considered threatened. It is a popular subject in underwater photography due to its striking blue-and-orange banded pattern, and its strong jaws and specialized teeth make it a notable example of dental adaptation for crushing hard-shelled invertebrate prey on coral reefs.

Distinguishing features include:

• Elongated, moderately deep-bodied wrasse shape
• Turquoise-blue body crossed by several broad orange to red vertical bars
• Blue-edged dorsal, anal, and tail fins
• Prominent tusk-like front teeth that protrude even when the mouth is closed
• Adult length of roughly 20-30 cm The bold blue-and-orange banding combined with visible protruding tusks readily separates this species from other reef wrasses, which typically lack such conspicuous exposed teeth.

Harlequin Tuskfish inhabit coral-rich reef slopes and lagoons, typically at depths from about 3 to 30 m. Their range is centered on the western Pacific, including the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, and New Caledonia, extending into parts of the Coral Triangle region. They favor areas with a mix of live coral, rubble, and sand patches where hard-shelled invertebrate prey is abundant. Warm, clear tropical reef water with good coral cover is their preferred environment, and they are often found in areas with moderate current that supports rich invertebrate communities.

Harlequin Tuskfish are generally solitary or found in loose pairs, actively foraging during the day over reef substrate and rubble in search of hard-shelled prey such as crustaceans, mollusks, and sea urchins, which they crush using their strong tusk-like teeth and powerful jaws. They can display territorial behavior toward conspecifics, particularly around preferred shelter sites. Like many wrasses, they are believed to be protogynous hermaphrodites, with individuals capable of changing from female to male. At night they retreat into reef crevices for shelter, and their invertebrate-crushing feeding habit makes them an important predator controlling hard-shelled invertebrate populations on the reef.