Choerodon anchorago (Bloch 1791)

This species is distinguished by the following characters: body deep, its depth 2.4-2.7 times in standard length; dorsal profile of head convexly curved above eyes; anterior tip of head forming a broad angle with snout steeply inclined; jaws prominent; 4 strong canines situated anteriorly in each jaw with second pair in lower jaw directed laterally; an enlarged canine present on each side at rear of upper jaw; D XIII,7, continuous with spines and anterior soft rays of similar length; A III,9; pectoral fins with ii unbranched and 13-14 branched rays; pelvic fins not filamentous; caudal fin truncate to slightly rounded; lateral line continuous, smoothly curved, with 29 pored scales; scales barely reaching onto bases of dorsal and anal fins; scales in front of dorsal fin distinctly not extending forward to above eye; cheek and opercle scaly, scales on preopercle small, less than 1/4 the size of those on body; lower jaw without scales. Colour of body greenish to grey with underside of head, chest and lower portion of sides white or bluish; a wedge-shaped white band extending upward onto back behind pectoral fins; a large rectangular white saddle situated dorsally on caudal peduncle extending forward below rear of dorsal fin; head speckled with orange; pectoral-fin base covered by a large blue to black spot; dorsal fin greenish grey anteriorly and yellowish posteriorly; caudal fin greenish orange; anal fin yellow with orange markings; a narrow blue margin on dorsal and anal fins. Small individuals overall greenish grey with several whitish bars (Ref. 9823).

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 9

Occurs inshore (Ref. 75154). Adults inhabit reef flats and lagoon reefs, in areas with seagrass or mixed sand, rubble, and coral (Ref. 9710). They often form small aggregations (Ref. 8631). Juveniles occur inshore and usually form small groups in estuarine seagrass beds. Adults can be found in inner as well as outer reefs and are territorial (Ref. 48636).

Adults inhabit reef flats and lagoon reefs, in areas with seagrass or mixed sand, rubble, and coral (Ref. 9710). They often form small aggregations (Ref. 8631). Juveniles occur inshore and usually form small groups in estuarine seagrass beds. Adults can be found in inner as well as outer reefs and are territorial (Ref. 48636). Feed mainly on hard-shelled prey including crustaceans, mollusks and sea urchins. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). In Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253).

fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial