Axilspot Hogfish, Bodianus axillaris (Bennett, 1831)

Scientific name: Bodianus axillaris
Alternative name/s:
Axil Hog
Axilspot Hogfish Click to enlarge image
An Axilspot Hogfish at a depth of 12 m, North Solitary Island, New South Wales, May 2002. Image: Ian Shaw
© Ian Shaw

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Bodianus
    Species
    axillaris
    Family
    Labridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The Axilspot Hogfish grows to 20 cm in length.
Axilspot Hogfish, Bodianus axillaris

Axilspot Hogfish, Bodianus axillaris

Image: John Randall
© John Randall

Introduction

The Axilspot Hogfish is mainly found in the Indo-Pacific and it is also common to see them kept in aquariums.

Identification

Adult Axilspot Hogfish are red-brown anteriorly, grading to white posteriorly. They have a large black spot on the pectoral fin base, on the soft dorsal fin and on the anal fin. Juveniles are black with two rows of large white spots.

'Map Puffer being cleaned by Axilspot Hogfish
Image: Mark McGrouther
© Erik Schloegl

Distribution

The species has a widespread Indo-Pacific distribution.

In Australia it is recorded from the south-western coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to the central coast of New South Wales.

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.

Further reading

  1. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.