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Axilspot hogfish (Bodianus axillaris) — Labridae

Axilspot hogfish

Bodianus axillaris
Family: Labridae

The Axilspot hogfish (Bodianus axillaris) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel), Cook Is. and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Axilspot hogfish is a wrasse (Labridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate body with projecting canine teeth. Adults have a white forebody and red-brown rear body with a black axil spot; juveniles are dark with white spots. As a bottom-oriented hunter it searches coral and rocky reefs for molluscs, crustaceans and sea urchins, which it crushes with its strong teeth. Like many wrasses it changes sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Axilspot hogfish?

The Axilspot hogfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Axilspot hogfish live?

The Axilspot hogfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel), Cook Is. and others

How big does the Axilspot hogfish get?

The Axilspot hogfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Axilspot hogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Axilspot hogfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Axilspot hogfish edible?

Yes, the Axilspot hogfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Axilspot hogfish (Bodianus axillaris) — Labridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — zsispeo (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Axilspot hogfish (Bodianus axillaris) — Labridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Axilspot hogfish (Bodianus axillaris) — Labridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Ahmed Abdul Rahman (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Axilspot hogfish (Bodianus axillaris) — Labridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Sylvie Omnès, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Axilspot hogfish sourced
Scientific name
Bodianus axillaris
Family
Labridae
Other names
Axil hogfish; Axil pigfish; Axilspot hogfish; Coral hogfish; Turncoat hogfish; Coral pigfish; Bicolor wrasse; Polkadot wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel), Cook Is. and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Bodianus

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