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Brown hogfish (Bodianus eclancheri) — Labridae

Brown hogfish

Bodianus eclancheri
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Brown hogfish (Bodianus eclancheri) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 61 cm.

Length
61 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–46.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Galapagos hogfish is a wrasse (Labridae) from the eastern Pacific, particularly around the Galapagos Islands and the coast of South America. The species is strikingly variable in colour, from black and orange to mottled, with stout canine teeth at the front of the mouth. It inhabits rocky reefs. As a bottom predator it cracks hard-shelled prey such as molluscs, crustaceans and sea urchins with its teeth. Like many wrasses it is a protogynous hermaphrodite. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brown hogfish?

The Brown hogfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Brown hogfish live?

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

How big does the Brown hogfish get?

The Brown hogfish grows to a maximum of about 61 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Brown hogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Brown hogfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Brown hogfish edible?

The Brown hogfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Galapagos-varkenslipvis sourced
English name
Brown hogfish verified
Scientific name
Bodianus eclancheri
Family
Labridae
Other names
Galápagos hogfish; Harlequin wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
61.0 verified
Average length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
46.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 sourced

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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