Purple Tuskfish

Interesting Info

• The Purple Tuskfish is found across a broad range of Australian waters, extending from Western Australia’s central coast, throughout the Northern Territory’s coastal regions, and along the entire Queensland coast. This range also stretches down to the northern parts of New South Wales.
• They are typically coloured in striking hues of blue, purple, and green, rather than solely purple and pink. The body is primarily blue, fading to lighter shades towards the belly, with greenish patterns and streaks across the back and flanks.
• They also have a characteristic tusk-like pair of canine teeth protruding from its lower jaw, hence the name “tuskfish”.
• The Purple Tuskfish, like other members of the Choerodon family, uses its tusk-like teeth to uncover invertebrates from the substrate, with a diet primarily consisting of molluscs, crustaceans, and small fish.
• Sexual dimorphism is generally low in tuskfish species. Both males and females tend to have a similar size and colour, making it difficult to visually distinguish between them.
• Like many tuskfish species, Purple Tuskfish are likely to be solitary breeders. They tend to have a demersal spawning behaviour where they release eggs near the seabed. It is believed breeding season is during the warmer months of the year.
• Their estimated lifespan is between 10 – 15 years.