Diana's Hogfish (juvenile)

Bodianus diana is a species of wrasse native to the Indian Ocean from the African coast to the Nicobars and the Cocos-Keeling Islands. Reports of its presence in the western Pacific Ocean are erroneous. It occurs on the seaward side of reefs at depths from 6 to 50 m (though rarely deeper than 25 m). It can reach a length of 16.9 cm. This species is of minor importance to local commercial fisheries and is found in the aquarium trade.

Description

Juveniles are pale brown with numerous small to irregular white spots on the head and snout above the level of the mouth; spots behind the eye are usually distinct, and often aligned in rows. Males (Terminal phase adults) lack prominent black spots on the rear of the dorsal fin, and on the middle of the anal fin and on the pelvic fin.

Distribution

Indian Ocean: East Africa (questionable in the Gulf of Aden and Somalia), east to the Nicobar Islands and Cocos-Keeling Islands.

Habitat

Adults are found in coral rich areas of seaward reefs. Juveniles have been observed living among the tentacles of the mushroom coral Heliofungia actiniformis. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. It feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates such as mollusks and crustaceans. Juveniles are known to remove parasites from other fishes.