ANIMAL: Spanish Hogfish Bodianus rufus Type of Animal: Wrasse Habitat: Coral reefs, rocky outcrops, seagrass beds, rocky reefs, neritic zones, found at depths of up to 230 ft Location(s): Found in W Atlantic from North Carolina through Gulf of Mexico & Caribbean all way to S Brazil. Appearance: Yellow w/ deep purple-blue coloring on top of body/near head, deeper water fish have more red w/ pinkish tinge in upper body/head, shallower water fish have more purple-blue in upper body/head, juveniles have bright purplish/bluish forebody w/ bright yellow belly/tail, long pointed snout, males larger than females/more intensely colored, robust compressed body Food/Diet: Adults eat sea urchins, crabs, worms, brittle stars, clams, snails, shrimp, mussels, small fish, krill. Juveniles eat parasites, dead tissue, & excess mucus from other fish as well as krill. Status in Wild: Stable Conservation: Breeding in aquariums & aquaculture Lifestyle: Adults found in harems of a male & around 12 females. Juveniles found in smaller groups of their own, acting as cleaning crew to other fish. These fish all born female w/ largest most dominant females becoming males. Additional Info: Called: Male Female Young: Fry Group: School Weight: Male: 12-14 oz Female: 9.5 oz Gestation: 1 day Life Span: 10 years Body Length: Male: 9-11 in Female: 5-6 in Young: 1.5 in Main predators are larger bony fish, sharks, & bottlenose dolphins. These fish rather difficult to breed in captivity. During courtship, male courts females & they both rise to water surface, releasing eggs/sperm into open water column. Eggs hatch as free-swimming larvae, developing fast. Uses powerful jaws & anterior canine teeth to crush harder prey. Can breed year-round, w/ spawning occurring at dusk. Active during day (diurnal), Occasionally hybridize w/ closely related Spotfin/Cuban hogfish. Popular in public & private aquariums. They often move using only their broad pectoral fins to propel themselves through water. Fun Fact(s): Instances of ciguatera poisoning have occurred when these fish eaten by humans due to consuming smaller algae-eating fish. These fish, like many other wrasses, have been observed performing REM behavior while asleep. Like other hogfish, they get name from way they search for food using snout. Juveniles form mutualistic relationship w/ other fish-juveniles eat dead skin/tissue, parasites, & excess mucus from fish. In this case, juvenile hogfish get meal & other fish get good cleaning. These occur at cleaning stations. Transition from female to male lasts 7-10 days.
