Black-spot tuskfish (blue parrot)
Choerodon schoenleinii
Officers of DPI Fisheries
This is a regulated fish. See Recreational fishing rules in Queensland - Tidal waters for the current regulations.
Description
Black-spot tuskfish grow to about 90cm (15.9kg). At sexual maturity they are around 53-54cm in length. Adult and juvenile fish are different in colouration, however, both can be identified by a conspicuous black spot located at the base of the soft dorsal fin. The spot can be faint or absent in some fish. Adult fish are blue-green along the back with short blue bars on each scale. The tail is darker blue-purple and the tailing edge of the dorsal fin is golden orange. Juveniles are olive green along the back with yellow bellies. Their scales also have short blue bars and they have a series of blue lines near the eyes and mouth. These fish have well-developed tusk-like teeth which they use to move aside dead coral rubble. They then use powerful pectoral fins to shift sand, exposing part buried crabs, which they then feed on.
Habitat/distribution
Black-spot tuskfish live on coral reefs and over reef flats along the entire Queensland coast. They are also common over seagrass beds, generally occurring on the inner continental shelf to at least 200m depth. Black-spot tuskfish can also be found in New South Wales, the Gulf of Carpentaria and into northern Western Australia. This species feeds in the shallow waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
Suggested further reading
Department of Primary Industries. (2002). Fish Guide. Saltwater, Freshwater and Noxious Species. The Great Outdoors Publications, Brisbane.
Grant, E.M. (2002). Grant's Guide To Fishes. E.M. Grant Pty Limited, Brisbane.
Note: Some information in this publication may change from time to time (especially size and in-possession limits). You should contact your nearest Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol or the DPI&F Call Centre (13 25 23) for latest fisheries regulations and information.
This DPI Note is also published on the DPI&F's PrimeNotes CD-ROM.
Information contained in this publication is provided as general advice only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought. The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland has taken all reasonable steps to ensure the information in this publication is accurate at the time of publication. Readers should ensure that they make appropriate inquiries to determine whether new information is available on the particular subject matter.
File No: f00094
Last reviewed December 2003
