Diana's Pigfish, Bodianus diana (Lacépède, 1801)

Scientific name: Bodianus diana
Alternative name/s:
Diana's Hogfish, Diana's Wrasse
Similar species:
Current research indicates that the name Bodianus diana has been used in Australia for more than one species.
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    19/02/19
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Bodianus diana Click to enlarge image
A juvenile Diana's Hogfish at a depth of 10m, "Steve's Bommie", Ribbon Reef #3, Great Barrier Reef off Cooktown, Queensland, December 2001. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Bodianus
    Species
    diana
    Family
    Labridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 25 cm in length.

Introduction

Diana's Pigfish can be recognised by its colouration. The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West Pacific.

Identification

Diana's Pigfish can be recognised by its colouration. It has a purplish-brown head and a yellow body. The upper sides have four yellow spots and a region of dark spots posteriorly. There is a large red spot on the pelvic fins and anteriorly on the anal fin. The caudal and anal fins both have a smaller black spot. The scales have brown margins. Juveniles look very different from the adults. They are reddish brown with white blotches and spots on the side of the body. They have large black spots on the fins.

Distribution

The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West Pacific. In Australia it is known from the coast and offshore islands of north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to southern 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.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433. (as Bodianus sp)
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  4. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
  6. Westneat, M.W. 2001. Labridae. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem (Eds). FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 6. Bony Fishes part 4 (Labridae to Latimeriidae), estuarine crocodiles, sea turtles, sea snakes and marine mammals. FAO, Rome. Pp. iii-v, 3381-4218.