Blackbelt Hogfish

Bodianus mesothorax

The split-level hogfish, "Bodianus mesothorax", is a species of wrasse native to the western Pacific Ocean and the eastern Indian Ocean. They can be found on reefs at depths of 5 to 40 m, though rarely below 20 m. Juveniles inhabit caves in the reef. Adults of this species clean other fish by eating parasites on the body of other reef fish. This species can reach a length of 25 cm.
Split-level hogfish - Bodianus mesothorax Bodianus mesothorax,Fall,Geotagged,Indonesia,Split-level hogfish

Appearance

The Coral Hogfish undergoes a major change from juvenile to adult coloration, typical of many hogfish species. The juvenile is jet-black, with bright yellow around its eyes and on the body. The adult hogfish has a pink head, and then a vertical black stripe separating the pink head from the rest of the body, which is bright yellow. The change of coloration occurs quickly, at around 2 inches.
Blackbelt Hogfish - Bodianus mesothorax Anilao,Batangas,Blackbelt Hogfish,Bodianus mesothorax,Fish,Hogfish,Philippines,Split-level Hogfish

Naming

The common name of this species is the Split-level or Coral Hogfish.
Blackbelt Hogfish - Bodianus mesothorax (Juvenile) Bodianus mesothorax,Fall,Geotagged,Indonesia,Split-level hogfish

Habitat

The Split-level Hogfish lives in reefs of the Eastern Indian and the Western Pacific Oceans. It is commonly imported for the fish trade from the Philippines and Indonesia.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderPerciformes
FamilyLabridae
GenusBodianus
SpeciesB. mesothorax
Photographed in
Indonesia
Malaysia
Philippines