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Sharpsnout hogfish (Bodianus prognathus) — Labridae

Sharpsnout hogfish

Bodianus prognathus
Family: Labridae

The Sharpsnout hogfish (Bodianus prognathus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
17.9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
7.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Kiribati

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Description

The Sharpsnout hogfish is a wrasse, a hogfish (Labridae), from reef water of the eastern Pacific, around oceanic islands. The species has an elongate, elongate with an extended snout, red-brown body with strong canine teeth with which it crushes molluscs, crustaceans and sea urchins. As a bottom-oriented fish it swims over coral and rocky reefs; like many wrasses a female changes sex on loss of the male. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sharpsnout hogfish?

The Sharpsnout hogfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Sharpsnout hogfish live?

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

How big does the Sharpsnout hogfish get?

The Sharpsnout hogfish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Sharpsnout hogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Sharpsnout 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
Sharpsnout hogfish sourced
Scientific name
Bodianus prognathus
Family
Labridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.9 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
7.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Kiribati 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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