VelasCorals
Valuable Member
A few days ago I finally got an Aussi Harlequin Tusk. I got the biggest one I could find at about 7" since I have a yellow tang that is a bully. Let me start off by saying this fish is incredible both in the vibrant colors, distinctive personality and the way it glides around the tank. When I first got him I started feeding Mysis shrimp and he pigged out. Then I went to the local Asian market and bought a clam which I broke open and tossed in the tank. He tore the thing apart with his teeth.
Tonight I decided to feed one of the XL cocktail shrimps that I also picked up at the store. I hung it from the acrylic rod that I usually wrap nori around for the tangs with a rubber band. As all the fish were slowing picking at the shrimp the tusk just waited at the bottom. About 5 minutes went by and all the fish moved from the shrimp for a split second and the tusk swam like a bullet up the the top of the tank and ripped the shrimp out of the shell and only left the tail. This isn't a tiny little shrimp either. The meaty party was at least the size of my thumb. The tusk then immediately swallowed half of it while the rest was protruding out of his mouth. The other fish quickly took notice and tried picking pieces out of his mouth to get their share. Then the tusk starting smashing it on the rock and sand while it slowly swallowed at least 2" of whole cocktail shrimp until it was all gone.
I tried to get a pic of him in action with half the shrimp hanging out of his mouth but he was too quick and I was a little in shock. He did slow down enough for me to take a pic while he was showing off how big his mouth is. I wish I could have recorded a video to share but hopefully my story paints a decent image in your head.
Tusk showing off his big mouth and teeth!
Here's a pic of him yesterday hanging out by his favorite lobo.
Tonight I decided to feed one of the XL cocktail shrimps that I also picked up at the store. I hung it from the acrylic rod that I usually wrap nori around for the tangs with a rubber band. As all the fish were slowing picking at the shrimp the tusk just waited at the bottom. About 5 minutes went by and all the fish moved from the shrimp for a split second and the tusk swam like a bullet up the the top of the tank and ripped the shrimp out of the shell and only left the tail. This isn't a tiny little shrimp either. The meaty party was at least the size of my thumb. The tusk then immediately swallowed half of it while the rest was protruding out of his mouth. The other fish quickly took notice and tried picking pieces out of his mouth to get their share. Then the tusk starting smashing it on the rock and sand while it slowly swallowed at least 2" of whole cocktail shrimp until it was all gone.
I tried to get a pic of him in action with half the shrimp hanging out of his mouth but he was too quick and I was a little in shock. He did slow down enough for me to take a pic while he was showing off how big his mouth is. I wish I could have recorded a video to share but hopefully my story paints a decent image in your head.
Tusk showing off his big mouth and teeth!
Here's a pic of him yesterday hanging out by his favorite lobo.
