Animal Species:Yellowfin Pigfish, Bodianus flavipinnis (Gomon, 2001)

Not surprisingly, the pectoral fin of the Yellowfin Pigfish is yellow.  The fish is red above and white below, usually with two large white blotches on the upper sides. It is known from Australia and New Zealand.

A Yellowfin Pigfish caught off Norah Head

A Yellowfin Pigfish caught off Norah Head
Hugh Dorahy © Hugh Dorahy

Identification

The Yellowfin Pigfish is a newly described species that can be recognised by its colouration.

It is red above and white below. There are usually two large white blotches on the upper sides. The head is red above the level of the mouth and white below. The pectoral fin is yellow.

The species name 'flavipinnis' comes from flavus (Latin for yellow) and pinna (Latin for fin).

The Yellowfin Pigfish was described in 2001 by OzFishNet member Dr Martin Gomon, who works at Museum Victoria.

Size range

The Yellowfin Pigfish grows to at least 40 cm in length.

Distribution

It occurs in temperate marine waters of Australia and New Zealand.

In Australia it is known from off the central coast of New South Wales to eastern Victoria. It is one of the most frequently encountered pigfishes in the Sydney Fish Market.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Bodianus flavipinnis

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Yellowfin Pigfish specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

 The species occurs at depths from 30 m to at least 250 m.

Classification

Species:
flavipinnis
Genus:
Bodianus
Family:
Labridae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Gomon, M.F. 2001. Descriptions of two new species of Bodianus (Perciformes: Labridae) from Australasian waters. New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 28: 407-416.
  2. Roberts, C.D. & A.L. Stewart. 2002. Two new foxfishes described. Seafood New Zealand. New Zealand Seafood Industry Magazine Limited. February 2002: 81-84.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Yellowfin Pigfish, Bodianus flavipinnis, red, yellow, white, 'normal fish', 30 cm - 1 m, blotches/motttled, pelagic, marine, adult,