Purple Eyebrowed Tuskfish - Choerodon zamboangae

Purple Eyebrowed Tuskfish (Choerodon zamboangae)

The Purple Eyebrowed Tuskfish is a powerful and distinctive marine wrasse recognised for its robust body, strong jaws and attractive blue-purple facial markings around the eye and head. Intelligent, active and increasingly bold as it matures, this species is best suited to large marine aquariums with substantial rockwork and appropriately sized tankmates. Its natural predatory behaviour means it should not be considered reef safe with ornamental crustaceans or other vulnerable invertebrates.

Common Name:
Purple Eyebrowed Tuskfish, Purple Eyebrow Tuskfish

Scientific Name (Latin):
Choerodon zamboangae

Maximum Size:
Approximately 30–35 cm

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Purple Eyebrowed Tuskfish occurs in tropical Indo-Pacific marine environments and is associated with reef slopes, rocky areas, rubble zones and deeper coastal reef habitats.

It spends much of its time moving between rockwork and open areas while searching for hard-shelled and bottom-dwelling prey.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Nitrate: Low and stable
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm

Temperament:
Semi-Aggressive / Predatory

The Purple Eyebrowed Tuskfish is generally confident and robust and can become increasingly assertive as it grows.

It is best housed with similarly sized or larger marine fish that are not easily intimidated.

Very small fish and ornamental invertebrates may be viewed as prey.

Diet:
Carnivore

The Purple Eyebrowed Tuskfish naturally feeds on crustaceans, molluscs and other benthic invertebrates.

In the aquarium, offer a varied diet including chopped prawn, mussel, cockle, squid, krill and other suitable marine foods.

Quality carnivore pellets may also be accepted once the fish is established.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 500 litres

A spacious aquarium with a generous footprint is recommended to provide adequate swimming room and accommodate the fish's substantial adult size.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Purple Eyebrowed Tuskfish is an active and inquisitive fish that spends much of the day exploring rockwork and searching the aquarium for food.

Its strong jaws are adapted for crushing hard-shelled prey, and it may investigate or move loose objects while foraging.

Provide substantial open swimming space alongside secure caves and rock formations.

Rockwork should be positioned firmly and securely.

Reef Safe:
Not Reef Safe

The Purple Eyebrowed Tuskfish should not be considered reef safe with ornamental invertebrates.

Shrimp, crabs, snails and other mobile invertebrates may be hunted and eaten.

While healthy coral tissue is not normally its primary food source, its predatory feeding behaviour makes it unsuitable for most conventional mixed reef aquariums.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Provide a large, mature marine aquarium with excellent filtration, strong oxygenation and substantial swimming space.

Rockwork should be securely positioned, as this species is strong and active around the aquarium.

Avoid keeping it with ornamental crustaceans, small snails or very small fish.

Tankmates should be robust, appropriately sized and capable of competing successfully at feeding time.

A varied marine carnivore diet is important for maintaining good body condition and colour.

A secure aquarium lid is recommended, particularly during acclimation.

Suitable for:
Experienced

Availability:
Availability can vary depending on season, collection area and supplier.

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.