A harlequin tuskfish turns beneath a reef ledge in clear blue water. Orange bands alternate with pale grey across its deep body, each divided by narrow cobalt lines. A yellow pectoral fin fans outward near the gill cover. The rounded eye looks ahead above a slightly open mouth and pale lower jaw.

The dorsal fin follows the curve of the back with a row of small pointed rays. Blue edges continue around the lower fins and the broad fan-shaped tail. Fine scales catch the light across the orange surfaces, giving the strong colors a textured rather than flat appearance. The entire fish remains visible against the darker water beyond the ledge.

Above it, rough limestone carries small orange sponges and pale encrusting patches. Broken coral pieces and granular sand cover the sloping seabed below. Sunlight enters from the upper right in soft bands, illuminating suspended particles and the brightest areas of the bottom. More reef shapes recede into the blue distance. The tall composition connects the close animal with the sheltered space around it and the open water overhead.