Harlequin Tuskfish

ID points

• Alternating orange-red and white broad vertical bands, edged in blue
• A pair of bright blue canine teeth permanently exposed
• The rear of the body darkens, the tail almost black

Basics

Family

Labridae

Length

20–25 cm

Depth

5-35 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Western Pacific coral reefs

Habitat

Clear outer reefs and rubble

Diet

Molluscs, crustaceans

Easily confused with

TuskfishUpper and lower jaws each carry a pair of protruding blue canine teethNapoleon WrasseAdults have a large bulging hump on the foreheadBird WrasseExtremely long snout, curved like the beak of a bird

Fun fact

It has striking blue teeth, which is extremely rare among fishes, set in a body banded in vivid red, white and orange.

More in this family

• Cleaner Wrasse
• Flasher Wrasse
• Leopard Wrasse
• Moon Wrasse
• Rockmover Wrasse
• Rockmover Wrasse (Juvenile)
• Six-line Wrasse
• Slingjaw Wrasse