Common name: Chiseltooth wrasse
General information
The Chiseltooth Wrasse, scientifically known as Pseudodax moluccanus, is a distinctive and somewhat uncommon species in the aquarium trade. It is known for its unique dentition, with protruding incisor-like teeth that are adapted for feeding on hard-shelled invertebrates. This wrasse is a larger species, capable of reaching up to 30 centimeters in length, and exhibits a striking coloration that transitions from a juvenile pattern of orange and white stripes to a more subdued adult coloration with a prominent black stripe along the flank.
Details
- Recommended minimum volume
- 300 liter (79 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 45 cm (1′6″)
- Care level
- Moderate to difficult Sensitive to water quality.
- Diet
- Herbivore Prefers macroalgae, veggies.
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone.
- Reefsafe
- No May nip at corals.
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Can be territorial.
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyWrassesLabridae
- GenusChiseltooth WrassePseudodax
- SpeciesChiseltooth wrassePseudodax moluccanus (Valenciennes, 1840)
- SynonymsOdax borbonicus Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1840Odax moluccanus Valenciennes, 1840Odax varius Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1840Pseudodax moluccans (Valenciennes, 1840)
Care
Due to its size and dietary requirements, the Chiseltooth Wrasse is best suited for larger aquariums with ample rockwork and a thick sand bed, which it uses for sleeping and hiding. This species is known for its robust appetite and should be provided with a varied diet that includes meaty foods, such as shrimp, squid, and specialized marine carnivore preparations, as well as live foods to mimic its natural foraging behavior.
Reproduction
In the wild, Pseudodax moluccanus exhibits protogynous hermaphroditism, where individuals start life as females and can change to males as they mature. In the aquarium setting, breeding is rare, but providing a group with a mix of sizes may encourage natural social structures and potential breeding behavior.
Habitat
The Chiseltooth Wrasse is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. It prefers reef environments with plenty of live rock and coral where it can forage for food. It is typically found at depths ranging from shallow waters to about 30 meters.