Zamboanga Tuskfish

Scientific Name: Choerodon zamboangae
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 45cm
Identification: Blue markings on chin and under eye, dark wedge-shaped marking on side has pronounced reddish-brown hue.
Favourite: Solitary or small groups.
Hide-out: Sand rubble areas near coastal and lagoon reefs in 30-60m.
Location: West Pacific - Northwestern Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Philippines to Ryukyu Islands.

Whitespot Tuskfish

Scientific Name: Choerodon monostigma
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 25cm
Identification: Greenish back gradating to yellow below; black spot on back, large white spot below rear dorsal fin.
Favourite: Solitary or form small groups.
Hide-out: Sand and rubble bottoms in 10-40m.
Location: N. Australia and New Guinea.

Singapore Tuskfish

Scientific Name: Choerodon oligacanthus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 35cm
Identification: Tan; pale yellow stripes on lower body, elongate white patch on middle of back, small black spot on tail base.
Favourite: Solitary or in pairs.
Hide-out: Sand and rubble bottoms next to coastal reefs in 2-15m.
Location: Asian Pacific - Singapore, Malaysian Penninsula, Indonesia and Philippines.

Harlequin Tuskfish

Scientific Name: Choerodon fasciatus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 30cm
Identification: White undercolor, rear body becomes dark with age; 6-9 blue edged orange bars extend from head to tail base, tail white with orangish margin.
Favourite: Solitary, territorial and often in caves.
Hide-out: Coastal outer reefs to 15m.
Location: Two separate ranges - Taiwan and S.W. Japan to Palau. Also Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.

Graphic Tuskfish

Scientific Name: Choerodon graphicus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 46cm
Identification: Tan to yellow undercolor; dark irregular spoke-like markings radiating from eye, dark inter-connected bars on sides.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Sand and rubble patches of coastal, lagoon and seaward reefs in 2-30m.
Location: Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.

Darkstripe Tuskfish

Scientific Name: Choerodon vitta
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 20cm
Identification: Light gray to yellowish with yellow head; dark mid-lateral stripe, dark spot on tail base.
Favourite: Solitary or form small groups.
Hide-out: Flat sand and rubble bottoms in vicinity of coastal reefs in 10-40m.
Location: Aru Is. in Indonesia, New Guinea and N. Australia.

Blue Tuskfish

Scientific Name: Choerodon cyanodus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 70cm
Identification: Shades of gray often with yellowish or greenish tints; white chin and white spot on rear back, frequently display 4-5 faint bars on back.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Sand and rubble areas near coastal reefs in 2-35m.
Location: Indo-West Pacific - Sri Lanka to Papua New Guinea. S.W. Japan to Australia and New Caledonia.