Purple tuskfish
📖 Overview
Adults occur solitarily in shallow coral reefs and seagrass beds. Feed mainly on hard-shelled prey including crustaceans, mollusks and sea urchins . Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding . An excellent food fish.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10. Body scales edged with blue giving sides uneven banded appearance. No small prominent black spot on side. A horizontally elongate dusky blotch present below centre of fin in some specimens. Head with many small orange spots on cheek, forehead crossed by 4 or 5 sets of alternating blue and orange stripes. Second prominent anterior canine in lower jaw distinctly smaller than first in adults, directed dorsolaterally and curved slightly posteriorly. 1 to 3 scales on subopercle. (Ref 9823): fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Purple tuskfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Purple tuskfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated. Tropical West Pacific: Indonesia to Queensland, Australia.
🌿 Ecology
hard-shelled prey including crustaceans, mollusks and sea urchins (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Purple tuskfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.5 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 138 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Purple tuskfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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