Teleostei (teleosts) >
Eupercaria/misc (Various families in series Eupercaria) >
Labridae (Wrasses) > Hypsigenyinae
Etymology: Choerodon: Greek, choiros = a pig + odous = teeth (Ref. 45335); referrring to the prominent anterior canines of the species in this genus (Ref. 116605).
More on author: Castelnau.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated. Tropical
Indo-West Pacific: Indonesia to Queensland, Australia.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 38.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2334); max. published weight: 365.00 g (Ref. 3132)
Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10. Body scales edged with blue giving sides uneven banded appearance. No small prominent black spot on side. A horizontally elongate dusky blotch present below centre of fin in some specimens. Head with many small orange spots on cheek, forehead crossed by 4 or 5 sets of alternating blue and orange stripes. Second prominent anterior canine in lower jaw distinctly smaller than first in adults, directed dorsolaterally and curved slightly posteriorly. 1 to 3 scales on subopercle. (Ref 9823)
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
Adults occur solitarily in shallow coral reefs and seagrass beds. Feed mainly on hard-shelled prey including crustaceans, mollusks and sea urchins (Ref. 9823). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). An excellent food fish.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
Westneat, M.W., 2001. Labridae. Wrasses, hogfishes, razorfishes, corises, tuskfishes. p. 3381-3467. In K.E. Carpenter and V. Niem (eds.) FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes. The living marine resources of the Western Central Pacific. Vol. 6. Bony fishes part 4 (Labridae to Latimeriidae), estuarine crocodiles. FAO, Rome. (Ref. 9823)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial
Tools
Special reports
Download XML
Internet sources