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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Subtropical

Blue tuskfish

Choerodon cyanodus Richardson, 1843
Max Length
70 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.6
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
56.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Adults inhabit sand and rubble areas of reef flats and flat shelf bottoms of outer reef slopes . They enter very shallow water, and feed mainly on mollusks. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding .

Scientific Name
Choerodon cyanodus
Authority
Richardson, 1843
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
70 cm
Trophic Level
3.6
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
56.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10. Body with about 5 very faint broad dusky bands dorsally on side in most freshly preserved specimens. A large pale spot often present below posterior end of caudal fin in adults. No darky spot present on side below fifth or sixth dorsal-fin spine. Adults with second prominent anterior canine approximately same size as first, second canine slanted dorsally. (Ref 9823): fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Blue tuskfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated. Subtropical West Pacific: Western Australia to Queensland.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.6±0.5
Food Items

mollusks

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00955 × L3.1 (TL)
Max TL
70cm
Dorsal Spines
13
Dorsal Rays
7
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
10

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2004

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
56.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.6
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Richardson, 1843

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Choerodon Cyanodus is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 19.4 g
Omega-3 (total) 190 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Blue tuskfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

👥 Community & Contribute

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