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Lyretail hogfish (Bodianus anthioides) — Labridae

Lyretail hogfish

Bodianus anthioides
Family: Labridae

The Lyretail hogfish (Bodianus anthioides) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
24 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6.0–80.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Lyretail hogfish is a wrasse (Labridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 24 cm and has an elongate body with projecting canine teeth. The forebody is red-brown and the rear body white with brown spots, with a conspicuously deep, lyre-shaped tail. 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 Lyretail hogfish?

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

Where does the Lyretail hogfish live?

The Lyretail hogfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Lyretail hogfish get?

The Lyretail hogfish grows to a maximum of about 24 cm.

Is the Lyretail hogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Lyretail hogfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Lyretail hogfish edible?

Yes, the Lyretail hogfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Lierstaart-lipvis sourced
English name
Lyretail hogfish sourced
Scientific name
Bodianus anthioides
Family
Labridae
Other names
Lyretail hogfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
24.0 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)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
80.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Bodianus

More from the family Labridae

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