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Foxfish (Bodianus frenchii) — Labridae

Foxfish

Bodianus frenchii
Family: Labridae

The Foxfish (Bodianus frenchii) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The Foxfish is a wrasse (Labridae) from coastal waters of southern Australia. The species grows to about 45 cm and has an elongate body with projecting canine teeth. Juveniles are orange-red with yellow blotches; adults are darker red-brown. The species can become very old. 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 Foxfish?

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

Where does the Foxfish live?

The Foxfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Foxfish get?

The Foxfish grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Foxfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Foxfish 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.

More photos

Foxfish (Bodianus frenchii) — Labridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Peter Southwood (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Foxfish (Bodianus frenchii) — Labridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Peter Southwood (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Foxfish (Bodianus frenchii) — Labridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) divercraig, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Foxfish (Bodianus frenchii) — Labridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Jens Sommer-Knudsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Foxfish sourced
Scientific name
Bodianus frenchii
Family
Labridae
Other names
Foxfish; Western foxfish; Fox wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 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)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia 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

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

More from the family Labridae

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