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Harlequin Tusk
Choerodon fasciatus
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Labridae
📍 Western Pacific, Australia to Japan
Bold orange-and-white banded wrasse with vivid blue teeth. Impressive predator fish for FOWLR tanks. Australian specimens (red-orange) are more vibrant than Indo-Pacific.
Care Guide
Diet
Harlequin Tusks are carnivorous predators requiring meaty foods such as frozen shrimp, squid, clams, and high-quality carnivore pellets. Feed once daily in smaller portions, as they are aggressive eaters. Vary their diet regularly to ensure nutritional balance and maintain their vibrant coloration.
Behavior
Bold and highly predatory, Harlequin Tusks are active mid-water swimmers with strong personalities and territorial tendencies. They will aggressively hunt smaller fish and invertebrates, making them unsuitable for reef tanks with delicate corals or small crustaceans. These fish are intelligent and may recognize their keeper, often becoming interactive over time.
Breeding
Breeding Harlequin Tusks in captivity is extremely rare and poorly documented. They are pelagic spawners in the wild, requiring very large systems and specific environmental triggers that are difficult to replicate in home aquariums. Captive breeding is not recommended for hobbyists.
Tank Mates
Hardy clownfish can coexist if tank is large enough; may be nipped at but generally tolerate the Tusk's aggression
Similar hardiness to Ocellaris; can hold their own in a spacious FOWLR setup
Both are predatory; requires careful monitoring and sufficient space to prevent conflict
Small size makes it vulnerable; may be predated upon depending on Tusk's appetite
Will likely be eaten; only suitable if Tusk is well-fed and tank is very large
Common Diseases
Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against surfaces, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 26-27°C, maintain excellent water quality, use copper-based treatments or hyposalinity therapy; quarantine if possible
Marine Velvet (Amyloodinium ocellatum)
Fine white or gold dust coating on skin, rapid gill movement, loss of appetite, scratching behavior
Increase aeration, maintain temperature at 26°C, use copper treatments or hyposalinity; quarantine infected fish immediately
Bacterial Infections
Torn fins, open sores, cloudy eyes, lethargy, loss of appetite
Improve water quality, perform regular water changes, use antibiotic treatments if severe; ensure adequate nutrition and low stress
Parasitic Infections
Excessive scratching, visible parasites, weight loss, behavioral changes
Quarantine affected fish, use appropriate antiparasitic medications, maintain pristine water conditions
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- diet
- carnivore
- maxSize
- 12 inches
- salinity
- 1.023–1.025 SG
- minTankSize
- 100 gallons
- temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)
Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C