Choerodon monostigma Ogilby, 1910
Dark-spot tuskfish
Choerodon monostigma
photo by CSIRO

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Bodianinae
Max. size:  25 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 10 - 40 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: northwestern Australia (Ref. 3131) and Papua New Guinea (Ref. 6192).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-7; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 10-10. Body mostly pale with faint broad dusky bands especially dorsally. A prominent ocellated dark spot present on dorsal fin between last few spines. Body deep at level of dorsal-fin origin (2.3 to 2.6 times in SL). Second prominent anterior canine mostly straight, only slightly curved in large specimens, angled dorsolaterally and sometimes slightly posteriorly.
Biology:  Adults inhabit flat sandy or weedy areas (Ref. 3131). Found solitary in rubble, silt or sand bottoms (Ref. 90102). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). A good food fish.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 April 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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