Spanish Hogfish

Bodianus rufus, is a species of wrasse native to the western Atlantic Ocean, where it can be found from southern Florida and Bermuda through the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico to southern Brazil. It inhabits coral or rock reefs at depths of 1 to 70 m (3.3 to 229.7 ft). While the adults feed on such prey as molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms (brittle stars and sea urchins), the juveniles act as cleaner fishes. This species can reach a length of 40 cm (16 in), though most do not exceed 28 cm (11 in). This species is of minor importance to local commercial fisheries and can be found in the aquarium trade.

Description

Pointed snout, broad tail base, and back swept dorsal and anal fins. Large adults almost entirely grey with a yellow tinge on sides and yellow on snout, while juveniles are mainly orange-yellow with a blue top of head and back, most commonly seen somewhere between these two phases with varying amounts of yellow and grey/blue.

Distribution

Distribution: Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida, Bermuda, Gulf of Mexico