Blackspot tuskfish
📖 Overview
Inhabit flat sandy or weedy areas near lagoon and seaward reefs . Solitary. Feed mainly on hard-shelled prey including crustaceans, mollusks and sea urchins. Marketed mostly fresh. In Hong Kong live fish markets .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10. Large adults appear blue underwater and usually have a small black spot at the dorsal fin base. Juveniles have a large white saddle spot following the black spot . A moderately small but prominent dark spot present on body at base of last dorsal-fin spine (spot not extending onto fin membrane). Body scales each with a blue centre in life forming horizontal rows of spots on side. Second prominent anterior canine in lower jaw distinctly shorter than first in adults, directed mostly dorsally and slightly anteriorly. 3 to 5 scales on subopercle. (Ref 9823): fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blackspot tuskfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 60 m , usually 10 - 20 m . Tropical West Pacific: Ryukyu Islands south to Australia and Indonesia.
🌿 Ecology
hard-shelled prey including crustaceans, mollusks and sea urchins
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Blackspot 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 | 18.9 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 123 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Blackspot tuskfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Blackspot Tuskfish · Bluebone · Green Wrasse |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Shirokurabera · シロクラベラ |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 四齒仔 · 石老 · 西齒 · 邵氏寒鯛 · 邵氏豬齒魚 · 青威 · 青衣寒鯛 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaerodon schoenleini | Valenciennes | 1839 | Synonym |
| Chaerops notatus | Alleyne & Macleay | 1877 | Synonym |
| Choerodon cyanostolus | Richardson | 1846 | Synonym |
| Choerodon quadrifasciatus | Yu | 1968 | Synonym |
| Choerodon rubidus | Scott | 1959 | Synonym |
| Choerodon shoenleinii | Valenciennes | 1839 | Synonym |
| Choerops notatus | Alleyne & Macleay | 1877 | Synonym |
| Choerops nyctemblema | Jordan & Evermann | 1902 | Heterotypic |
| Choerops ommopterus | Richardson | 1846 | Synonym |
| Choerops unimaculatus | Cartier | 1874 | Synonym |
| Cossyphus cyanostolus | Richardson | 1846 | Synonym |
| Cossyphus ommopterus | Richardson | 1846 | Synonym |
| Cossyphus schoenleinii | Valenciennes | 1839 | Synonym |
| Torresia australis | Castelnau | 1875 | Synonym |
| Torresia lineata | De Vis | 1885 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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