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Cuban hogfish (Bodianus pulchellus)

Photo of Cuban hogfish (Bodianus pulchellus)

Key facts

Scientific name
Bodianus pulchellus
Common name
Cuban hogfish
Category
Fish
Family
Labridae
Genus
Bodianus
Size
12–25 cm
Depth
5–120 m
IUCN status
Least concern (LC)
Danger level
Harmless
Habitats
coral-reef
Behaviours
solitary
Ocean zones
Caribbean, Eastern Pacific

Description

Bodianus pulchellus reaches 25 cm. Smaller Caribbean hogfish than B. rufus, with deep red to purple body with horizontal yellow-white band crossing snout to top of tail, bright yellow tail. Protogynous hermaphrodite. Lives from 5 to 120 m on coral reefs and deep drop-offs of Caribbean. More common in deep waters than B. rufus. Predator of benthic invertebrates. Iconic photo subject for bright colors, more elegant and delicate than its cousin.

Photo of Cuban hogfish

Photo of Cuban hogfish (Bodianus pulchellus)Photo of Cuban hogfish (Bodianus pulchellus)

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Cuban hogfish?
Cuban hogfish (Bodianus pulchellus) reaches 12–25 cm in length.
At what depth can you find the Cuban hogfish?
Cuban hogfish is found between 5–120 m deep.
Is the Cuban hogfish dangerous to divers?
Danger level: Harmless.
What is the conservation status of the Cuban hogfish?
IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
Where can you find the Cuban hogfish?
Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.

Other species in the genus Bodianus

  • Bodianus rufus - Spanish hogfish
  • Bodianus scrofa - Barred hogfish
  • Bodianus diana - Diana's hogfish
  • Bodianus diplotaenia - Mexican hogfish
  • Bodianus speciosus - Speciosus hogfish
  • Bodianus eclancheri - Galapagos Red Wrasse

Other species in the family Labridae

  • Labrus merula - Brown wrasse
  • Halichoeres pictus - Rainbow wrasse
  • Halichoeres cyanocephalus - Yellowcheek wrasse
  • Sparisoma chrysopterum - Redtail parrotfish
  • Sparisoma rubripinne - Yellowtail parrotfish
  • Scarus iseri - Striped parrotfish

Sources

  • Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 273540)
  • Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
  • Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5209681)
  • Conservation: IUCN Red List
  • Encyclopedia: Wikipedia