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Pacific hogfish (Decodon pacificus) — Labridae

Pacific hogfish

Decodon pacificus
Family: Labridae

The Pacific hogfish (Decodon pacificus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan

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Description

The Pacific hogfish is a wrasse (Labridae) from deeper reef and rocky water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, red-pink body with a pointed snout and strong canine teeth. As a day-active, bottom-oriented fish it picks crustaceans, molluscs and sea urchins from reef and bottom. Like many wrasses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pacific hogfish?

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

Where does the Pacific hogfish live?

The Pacific hogfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan

How big does the Pacific hogfish get?

The Pacific hogfish grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Pacific hogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Pacific 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Pacific hogfish sourced
Scientific name
Decodon pacificus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Ten-tooth wrasse sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.0 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
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
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 Decodon

More from the family Labridae

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