Redstripe Tuskfish

Interesting Info

• The Redstripe Tuskfish is found across northern Australia from Western Australia through the Northern Territory to Queensland, including the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.
• It also ranges widely through the Indo-West Pacific, from the Andaman Sea and Indonesia to Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and as far east as Fiji and Samoa.
• Adults typically reach 35–40 cm (14–16 in) in length, with some individuals growing to nearly 50 cm (20 in). They are stocky, strong-bodied wrasses with a deep profile.
• The species is named for the bold reddish stripe that runs horizontally along the midline of the body, standing out clearly against the greenish-blue background.
• Males tend to be larger and more vibrantly coloured, with stronger red stripes and a more intense green sheen, while females and juveniles are paler with less distinct markings.
• Juveniles are often mottled brown or dull green with faint stripes, providing camouflage among rubble and seagrass until they mature into the striking adult pattern.
• Like other tuskfish, they have thick, protruding teeth used to crush the hard shells of crabs, molluscs, and sea urchins, which make up the bulk of their diet.
• They are strong foragers, often observed flipping rubble, digging in sand, or breaking open shells to access hidden prey.
• Redstripe Tuskfish are protogynous hermaphrodites, beginning life as females before some transform into dominant males that control territories.
• Spawning is thought to occur in pairs or small groups, with eggs released into the open water to drift with the currents until hatching.
• They are estimated to live over 10 years, consistent with other medium to large tuskfish species.
• Predators include reef sharks, large groupers, and other big carnivorous fishes. Their strong bodies and ability to dart quickly into rubble or sand provide defence.
• They play a role in breaking down shells and recycling nutrients on reefs, contributing to overall reef health.