Venus Tuskfish, Choerodon venustus (De Vis, 1884)

Scientific name: Choerodon venustus
Venus Tuskfish, <i>Choerodon venustus</i> Click to enlarge image
A 31 cm long Venus Tuskfish caught at a depth of 40m, Patch off Sawtell, New South Wales, 8 April 2012. Image: Justin Mckenzie
© Justin Mckenzie

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Choerodon
    Species
    venustus
    Family
    Labridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The Venus Tuskfish grows to 65 cm in length.

Introduction

The Venus Tuskfish is a moderately deep bodied fish that is endemic to Australian waters.

Identification

The Venus Tuskfish is a moderately deep bodied fish with two pairs of canines in the front of the lower jaw. The caudal fin is emarginate. The colouration of this species is variable. It is often greenish or brownish above, fading to yellowish below. The sides are often reddish, especially around the pectoral fin. Adults have blue spots on the body scales.

Venus Tuskfish, Choerodon venustus

A juvenile Venus Tuskfish at Fly Point, Nelson Bay, New South Wales, 11 June 2011.

Image: Tom Davis
© Tom Davis

Distribution

The species is found in subtropical marine waters from southern Queensland to the central coast of New South Wales. It is endemic to Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.