Family : Labridae (Wrasses) , subfamily: Bodianinae
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Orange-dotted tuskfish
Fish Name : Choerodon anchorago
Max size : 38.0 cm SL (male/unsexed; Ref. 9823)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range - 25 m
Climate : tropical; 15°N - 30°S
Global Importance : fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)Distribution : Indo-West Pacific: Sri Lanka eastward to French Polynesia, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 12-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-7; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-9. A pair of greatly enlarged canine teeth present in front of jaws. Undergoes very little change in color with growth. Adults can be recognized by the white underside of the belly and head. Juveniles are greenish when in seagrass (Ref. 48636).
Biology : Inhabits reef flats and lagoon reefs, in areas with seagrass or mixed sand, rubble, and coral (Ref. 9710). Often forms small aggregations (Ref. 8631). Juveniles occur inshore and usually form small groups in estuarine seagrass beds. Adults can be found in inner as well as outer reefs and are territorial (Ref. 48636). Feeds mainly on hard-shelled prey including crustaceans, mollusks and sea urchins. In Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator : Westneat, Mark
Main Ref : Westneat, M.W.. 2001. (Ref. 9823)

India country information
Common Names : [ No common name ]
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses