Shipping is $42.79. Fish orders over $599 and coral orders over $399 ship free. Fish and coral ship in separate boxes, and we confirm your delivery day with you before anything ships.
Pickup available at 46 Northwest 36th Street
Usually ready in 2 hours
Carefully Selected
Scheduled Delivery
Live Arrival Covered
Description
Australian Harlequin Tusk
Care level
Intermediate
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Reef safe
With caution
Typical for this species. Ask us if you're unsure.
Transform Your Tank with One of the Most Visually Striking Wrasses in the Marine Hobby
Looking for a bold, personality-packed centerpiece that commands attention the moment it enters the water? The Australian Harlequin Tusk (Choerodon fasciatus) is widely regarded as the premium variant of the species: its vivid orange-and-white banding, electric blue fin accents, and iconic blue tusks create a color combination that is genuinely hard to believe is natural. The Australian variant is specifically sought over its Indo-Pacific counterpart for its superior, more saturated coloration. This is one of the most recognizable and coveted wrasses in the saltwater aquarium hobby.
Beyond the looks, the Harlequin Tusk has personality to match. Bold, curious, and interactive, it quickly becomes the most watched specimen in the tank. It's a carnivore that will make short work of mantis shrimp and bristle worms, a bonus in many systems, but keep it away from small ornamental shrimp and crabs. Best suited for a FOWLR or a reef with no delicate invertebrates, this is a specimen for reefers who want presence, character, and color all in one package.
Quick Stats & Care Guide
Common Name:Australian Harlequin Tusk
Scientific Name:Choerodon fasciatus
Current Size:Medium to Large
Care Level:Intermediate
Temperament:Semi-aggressive (predatory toward small invertebrates)
Reef Safe:With caution (will eat ornamental shrimp, crabs, and small snails)
Minimum Tank Size:125 gallons
Water Conditions:Temp 74 to 80°F | Sal 1.020 to 1.025 | pH 8.1 to 8.4 | Moderate-high flow
Why Buy From The Coral Boutique?
Every specimen we ship has been quarantined, conditioned, and eating before it leaves our facility. Australian Harlequin Tusks are sensitive to shipping stress. Ours arrive acclimated, stable, and ready to settle into your system from day one.
Fish Health
Our fish are selected with appearance, behavior, and feeding response in mind before being listed. We aim to offer healthy, alert specimens for established saltwater systems.
Compatibility
Please confirm this fish is compatible with your tank size, current livestock, temperament needs, and reef goals before ordering. If you are unsure, contact us before checkout and we’ll help you choose responsibly.
Shipping & Pickup
Livestock ships Monday through Wednesday. We confirm a delivery day with you before your order goes out, and we will hold it if the weather is bad or an animal needs more time in quarantine.
Fish orders over $599 qualify for free shipping. Coral orders over $399 qualify for free shipping. Free same-day Miami pickup is available at 46 NW 36th St and is usually ready in 1–2 hours.
Live Arrival Guarantee
Eligible livestock orders are covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee. Photograph the animal in its sealed bag before you open anything, then email that photo with your order number within two hours of delivery. Our team reviews every claim and gets you an answer within one business day. Failed delivery attempts, refused packages, or missed delivery windows may void coverage.
Acclimation
Acclimate fish carefully and introduce them into a stable, established saltwater aquarium. Match temperature and salinity slowly, keep lights low during introduction, and monitor behavior closely after release.
Photography
We photograph our fish in house to show their coloration and patterning as clearly as we can. Colors can look different under your own lights.
When a fish in our WYSIWYG collection has one in stock, the photo is the exact fish you receive. Other fish listings use a representative photo of the species and the quality you can expect. Every fish is carefully selected for health, coloration, and temperament before shipping.
SELECTED FOR ESTABLISHED SYSTEMS
Healthy Fish Start With Careful Selection.
Every fish is selected with color, behavior, and compatibility in mind. We focus on livestock that makes sense for real reef systems, not just impulse purchases.
If you have questions about temperament, tank size, or reef compatibility, contact us before ordering.
Watch before you order
How ordering and shipping work
Ship days, free shipping, the Live Arrival Guarantee and shipping protection in just over a minute.
Scheduled Shipping
Fish ship Monday through Wednesday only to avoid weekend delays.
Simple Claim Window
Sealed bag photo, emailed within 2 hours of delivery. Natural or white light.
Free Miami Pickup
Pick up locally from our NW 36th St showroom.
INTRODUCTION MATTERS
Give New Fish a Stable Start.
Successful fish introductions depend on stable water parameters, proper acclimation, compatible tankmates, and low-stress handling. Take your time, keep lights low, and observe behavior closely after release.
