Axilspot Hogfish

The axilspot hogfish, Bodianus axillaris, is a species of wrasse native to the Indo-Pacific.

Description

Adult fish are about 20 cm long. Males are red-brown anteriorly, and white posteriorly. They have large, dark spots on their pectoral fin bases, soft dorsal fins, and anal fins. Juveniles and females are black with a few large, white patches. Juvenile act as cleaner fishes by picking parasites from other fishes.

This oviparous species mainly feeds on mollusks and crustaceans and other benthic hard-shell invertebrates. It is also an aquarium fish.

Distribution

This species is mainly found in the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to South Africa, Marshall Islands, Marquesan, and Tuamoto Islands, north to Japan.

Habitat

B. axillaris is a reef-associated species. It usually can be found in lagoons and seaward reefs, in caves or under ledges at depths between 2 and 100 m.