Gilded tuskfish

📖 Overview

Gilded tuskfish (Choerodon aurulentus) is a ray-finned fish of the family Labridae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 78.1 cm. It occurs at depths between 80 and 90 metres. With a trophic level of 3.7, it is a mid-level predator.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10; Vertebrae: 27. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XII,8; A III,10; pectoral fin rays ii,13the , dorsalmost ray very short 7.0-9.1% pectoral fin length, ventralmost ray is distinctly longer than those immediately above, posterior edge of fin falcate, dorsoposterior corner bluntly pointed, posteroventral corner sharply pointed; shallow body, 10.6-11.4% SL, head depth 24.6-25.0% SL, caudal peduncle depth 10.6-11.4% SL; blunt head with dorsal profile of snout steeply rounded, snout length 12.0-12.2% SL; approximately 7 predorsal scales, reaching forward on dorsal midline just in advance of posterior edge of preopercle; the cheek with small partially embedded scales in about four diagonal rows, posteriormost with about 7 scales to upper extent of free preopercular edge, scales not reaching forward quite to below centre of eye, lower third or more of cheek above ventral edge of preopercle naked; 1-2 rows of about 7 or 8 small scales on subopercle adjacent preopercular edge extending forward to just more than half way to anterior extent of free ventral preopercular edge; each lateral line scale has an unbranched laterosensory canal tube; cephalic sensory canal pores are moderately numerous, confined to lines or short branches associated with major canals between and behind eye, less numerous in front of and below eye; scales above lateral line about 2½; the second pair of canines in lower jaw is directed laterally, recurved posteriorly; dorsal and anal fins without basal sheath, additional small scale at top of some oblique rows; posterior lobe of dorsal and anal fins just reaching hypural crease; caudal fin truncate, posterior margin mostly straight, upper and lower corners slightly pointed; pelvic fin to anus or anal fin origin, length 24.6-25.8% SL; colouration, green above, white below with pearly blue midlateral stripe angled from underside of eye to base of caudal fin, additional blue stripes curving from front of eye to upper jaw and across lower part of head from underside of lower jaw to preopercular margin; colour of terminal phase golden midlaterally, scales with vertical pearly bar and second pearly blue stripe from back of eye along lateral line to top of caudal peduncle; scales posteroventrally with vertical pearly blue line; lines on head with gold margins .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Gilded tuskfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 80 - 90 m . Subtropical South Pacific: Norfolk Ridge, ne Tasman Sea, between New Caledonia and New Zealand.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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