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| fishes text index | photo index |
| Phylum Chordata > Subphylum Vertebrate > fishes > Family Labridae |
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Anchor
tuskfish
Choerodon anchorago Family Labridae updated Apr 11 Where seen? This large fish was seen at Tanah Merah. Elsewhere, they are usually seen in silty reefs, also in seagrass areas with sand. Small juveniles are seen in seagrass beds near mangroves and freshwater run off. Sometimes seen in groups. It is also called the Yellow-cheek tuskfish or White-belly tuskfish. |
 Tanah Merah, Apr 11 |
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Features: To 38cm. With variable
coloration, it is identified by a pale diagonal bar at the pectoral
fin, black area on the middle of the upper side and large white saddle
behind the dorsal fin. It also has a white chin and belly, and the
head has tiny orange spots. Like other wrasses, the fish may have
different colours and patterns at night. Juveniles may be greenish
when in seagrass. It has a pair of enlarged canine teeth in front
of the jaws. What does it eat? It fees mainly on hard-shelled prey including crustaceans, molluscs and sea urchins. Human uses: It is sold fresh and as live seafood in Hong Kong. |
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 Kusu Island, Jul 11 |
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| Acknowledgement Thanks to Jeffrey Low for identifying this fish. Links
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Periplus Editions. 292 pp.|
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