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Blackspot wrasse (Bodianus bilunulatus) — Labridae

Blackspot wrasse

Bodianus bilunulatus
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Blackspot wrasse (Bodianus bilunulatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 55 cm.

Length
55 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–160.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The tarry hogfish is a wrasse (Labridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate body with a pink to yellowish front half, fine lengthwise lines and a conspicuous dark saddle blotch on the rear back and tail base. Adults live on deeper reef slopes rich in invertebrates such as sponges and seawhips; juveniles occur shallower. With its strong jaws it cracks hard-shelled prey such as molluscs, crustaceans and sea urchins. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackspot wrasse?

The Blackspot wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly pink-purple and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Blackspot wrasse live?

The Blackspot wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blackspot wrasse get?

The Blackspot wrasse grows to a maximum of about 55 cm.

Is the Blackspot wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackspot wrasse is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackspot wrasse edible?

Yes, the Blackspot wrasse is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zadel-varkenslipvis sourced
English name
Blackspot wrasse verified
Scientific name
Bodianus bilunulatus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Crescent banded hogfish; Hawaiian hogfish; Red-streaked pigfish; Saddleback hogfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
55.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
160.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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