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(Click for large pic. 26Kb)
This Tusk fish is probably the most abundant member of the family in Queensland waters, commonly occurring in the vicinity of offshore reefs on the whole of our coast. and is a common sight in bags taken by the increasing body of offshore anglers whose numbers grow with the rise in popularity of outboarding. It is deservedly well regarded as a foodfish; the flesh is white. tender, and flaky. and is not as "mushy" as that of some other members of the related Wrasse and Parrot group.
It attains a length of650 mm (25.5 inches) and a weight of`4.2 kg (9.2 lb.). Its colour is most variable, ranging from green to a bright brick red. It is a characteristic of the species that the head and body are covered with a profusion of bright blue spots.
Smaller examples in the 1.3 - 2.3 kg (three to five pound) bracket will bite avidly on such baits as large Soldier crabs, Squid, Hardyheads, and Garfish usual baits on the more southerly offshore reefs.
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