Yellowfin Pigfish, Bodianus flavipinnis (Gomon, 2001)

Scientific name: Bodianus flavipinnis
Bodianus flavipinnis Click to enlarge image
A Yellowfin Pigfish caught on hook and line at a depth of 130 m, off Norah Head, New South Wales, April 2005. This fish is registered in the Australian Museum Fish Collection as AMS I.43597-005. Image: H. Dorahy
© H. Dorahy

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Bodianus
    Species
    flavipinnis
    Family
    Labridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The Yellowfin Pigfish grows to at least 40 cm in length.

Introduction

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.

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.

Habitat

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

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.

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.