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Threelined hogfish (Bodianus trilineatus) — Labridae

Threelined hogfish

Bodianus trilineatus
Family: Labridae

The Threelined hogfish (Bodianus trilineatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
73.0–200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa

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Description

The Threelined hogfish is a wrasse, a hogfish (Labridae), from reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate, yellow-white with three dark longitudinal lines 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 Threelined hogfish?

The Threelined hogfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Threelined hogfish live?

The Threelined hogfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa

How big does the Threelined hogfish get?

The Threelined hogfish grows to a maximum of about 28 cm.

Is the Threelined hogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Threelined 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.

More photos

Threelined hogfish (Bodianus trilineatus) — Labridae — 2
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Threelined hogfish (Bodianus trilineatus) — Labridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) rov_ryan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Threelined hogfish (Bodianus trilineatus) — Labridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) rov_ryan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Threelined hogfish (Bodianus trilineatus) — Labridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) kerrysink, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Threelined hogfish sourced
Scientific name
Bodianus trilineatus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Fourline hogfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
73.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa 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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