Diana's hogfish

Bodianus diana

Habitat & Distribution: Indo-Pacific Ocean

Diet: Molluscs, crustaceans, worms

Size: 17 cm 

Lifespan: 7 - 11 years

Description

A vibrant, slender reef fish, known for its striking red-orange body covered in white, checkering spots. Found in Indo-Pacific coral reefs, they have an elongated snout, a black spot on the anal fin

Behavior

known as a cleaner fish, especially juveniles, which helps clean parasites on the bodies of other fish.

Reproduction

They are oviparous, with spawning involving the release of fertilized eggs into the water column, usually within reef environments. They are known to form distinct breeding pairs

Communication & Perception

As solitary and highly territorial fish, their communication is mostly aimed at defending their space and establishing dominance, particularly towards other wrasses or members of their own species.

Predator

Reef sharks, lionfish, groupers, barracuda, moray eels