Azurio tuskfish

The Azurio tuskfish (Choerodon azurio), also known as the scarbreast tuskfin, is a species of wrasse native to the western Pacific, where it occurs off the coasts of eastern Asia. It can be found in areas with rocky substrates at depths from 8 to 50 m (26 to 164 ft). This species can reach a length of 40 cm (16 in). It can be found in the aquarium trade.^[3] It is threatened by overfishing and habitat loss; it is a popular target for spearfishers and is considered an excellent food fish.

Azurio tuskfish
Terminal phase adult (top) and initial phase adult (bottom)[1]
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Labriformes
Family:	Labridae
Genus:	Choerodon
Species:	C. azurio
Binomial name
Choerodon azurio (D. S. Jordan & Snyder, 1901)
Synonyms[3]
Choerops azurio D. S. Jordan & Snyder, 1901 Labrus japonicus Valenciennes, 1839 (ambiguous) Crenilabrus stejnegeri Ishikawa, 1904

Terminal phase adults can be distinguished from initial phase adults by the nearly black caudal fin.^[4]

Gallery

• 
  Juvenile
• 
  Adult
• 
  At a market
• 
  Illustration by Kawahara Keiga, 1823 - 1829.