Choerodon zamboangae, also known as the purple eyebrowed tuskfish, is a fascinating marine fish found in the Indo-West Pacific region. Let’s explore some interesting details about this colorful species:
- Description: The purple eyebrowed tuskfish has a dark back and a pale lower half. One of its distinctive features is a red to reddish-brown wedge-shaped mark on the upper rear of its body.
- Size: These tuskfish can reach a maximum length of approximately 45 centimeters (17.7 inches).
- Habitat: They inhabit deep outer reef habitats, often in flat sandy or weedy areas. Interestingly, they are rarely seen by divers but are usually caught on fishing lines from deeper waters.
- Behavior: Solitary by nature, they are typically found near seaward reefs, often in rubble bottoms.
- Etymology: The genus name Choerodon combines Greek words: choiros (meaning “a pig”) and odous (meaning “teeth”), referring to the prominent anterior canines of the species in this genus. The specific epithet zamboangae is named after its type locality, Zamboanga in southern Philippines.
Next time you’re near the waters of the Indo-West Pacific, keep an eye out for this intriguing tuskfish!
