Blackfin Pigfish, Bodianus loxozonus (Snyder, 1908)

Scientific name: Bodianus loxozonus
Alternative name/s:
Blackfin Hogfish, Eclipse Hogfish, Reef Pigfish
Blackfin Pigfish, Bodianus loxozonus Click to enlarge image
A Blackfin Pigfish at a depth of 10 m, the Cod Hole, outer Barrier Reef off Lizard Island, Queensland, 16 December 2012. Image: Anne Hoggett
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Bodianus
    Species
    loxozonus
    Family
    Labridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 40 cm in length.

Introduction

The Blackfin Pigfish lives on the outer reef and is usually found swimming well above the surface bottom on deep reef crests. The species shows a curiosity towards divers.

Identification

The species is yellow-orange dorsally, with narrow white stripes. It has a broad diagonal black band across the rear of the body and black pelvic fins. There is a black spot at the front of the dorsal fin. The caudal fin is white with yellow to black margins.

Habitat

It inhabit seaward reefs and lagoons at depths from 3 m to 100 m.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Western and Central Pacific, from Indonesia, throughout South-east Asia and Micronesia, north to Japan, south to Australia and east to French Polynesia. In Australia it is known from the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

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.

Feeding and diet

Primary food items are molluscs and crustaceans.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 220.
  2. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
  3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 251.
  4. Westneat, M.W., 2001 Labridae. Wrasses, hogfishes, razorfishes, corises, tuskfishes. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem (Eds). FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 6. Bony Fishes part 4 (Labridae to Latimeriidae), estuarine crocodiles, sea turtles, sea snakes and marine mammals. FAO, Rome. Pp. iii-v, 3381-4218.
  5. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.