Bodianus mesothorax

(Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Vernacular names

English : Splitlevel hogfish
French : Pourceau éclipse

Classification

Class : Teleostei
Order : Eupercaria i. s. (sometimes still Perciformes)
Family : Labridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification

Adults can grow to 25 cm in length. Unmistakable with its violet-red head with black line and grey tinge on chin. Back part of body is white with faint yellow lines. Both parts are separated by a large triangular black blotch. Yellow fins.

Range and habitat

The species is found in the western parts of Pacific Ocean, from South Japan to Andaman islands, Malaysia, Indonesia and south to North Australia. Lives in coral-rich outer reef slopes, often near caves, down to 40 meters.

Conservation

IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : This species has a large range but is found in areas where habitat vanishes rapidly and fishes are often heavily collected for trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation