Hello, This is a WYISWYG Tusk. He have beautiful colors. Currently eating any type of meaty foods (Shrimp, squid) and even soft pellets.

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: With Caution

Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025

Max. Size: 10"

Color Form: Blue, Orange

Diet: Carnivore

Origin: Australia, Indonesia

Family: Labridae

The Harlequin Tuskfish is part of the large family of wrasses, Labridae. It belongs to the genus Choerodon, but older references may still have it listed as Lienardella fasciatus, which is incorrect. The genus Choerodon contains 25 species, but most get too large or simply aren’t attractive enough to collect for the aquarium trade. Similar to all Choerodons, the Harlequin Tusk is characterized by its four protruding teeth that are used to grasp and tear into hard prey, such as crustaceans. The unique coloration of the Harlequin Tuskfish (red/orange stripes on a white/blue body) make it unmistakable for any other fish. The juvenile coloration is similar to the adult except for the ocelli (false eye spots) that appear on the dorsal and anal fins. These “protective” spots disappear as the fish matures. Adults are also more deeply colored than juvenile specimens. This is a fish that truly becomes more beautiful with age. There are regional differences in coloration as well, but it’s rather subtle. Australian specimens tend to have more intense and redder coloration in the ventral and anal fins than those originating from Indonesia and the Philippines. Maximum adult size for the Harlequin Tusk is listed as 8 to 12 inches, depending upon the source of this information. Typical aquarium specimens are 5 to 7 inches in length.

The Harlequin Tusk originates from the reefs of the Indian Ocean and Australia. Indian Ocean Tusks have orange stripes with white margins and a hint of blue adjacent to the tail of the fish. Australian Tusks have orange stripes with vivid blue margins starting from the pectoral fin, along the fishes back to their tail. Both of these beautiful color forms have bright blue teeth or tusks used to crunch invertebrates. They are a wonderful fish for a FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) aquarium. These fish are typically shy when at a small size, but will in time gain personality and confidence as they mature.

A 125 gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of live rock for hiding places and moderately aggressive, active fish such as Angels, Tangs, and smaller Triggers is an acceptable environment. Keep only one specimen per tank. Although they will not bother corals, they will eat any small crustacean such as snails or crabs.

The Harlequin Tusk Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.