Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Perciformes (Perch-likes) >
Labridae (Wrasses) > Bodianinae
Etymology: Bodianus: Bodianus after Bodiano or Pudiano, from the Portuguese pudor, meaning modesty (Jordan & Evermann, 1896).; axillaris: Name from the Latin noun axilla for arm pit, apparently referring to the prominent black spot in the axilla of the pectoral fin (Ref. 75973).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 100 m (Ref. 9823), usually 2 - 40 m (Ref. 27115). Tropical; 24°C - 27°C (Ref. 27115), preferred ?; 32°N - 32°S
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to South Africa (Ref. 35918), east to the Marshall, Marquesan and Tuamoto islands, north to Japan (Ref. 559).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 20.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9823)
Dorsal
spines
(total): 12;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 9-10;
Anal
spines: 3;
Anal
soft rays: 12 - 13. Juveniles and females easily recognized by the generally black body with large white spots; males have large black spots on the soft parts of the dorsal and anal fins (Ref. 48636). Juveniles resemble the juveniles of B. mesothorax but have white rather than yellow spots. Undergoes a dramatic color change with growth.
Adults inhabit clear lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 1602); common in clear shallow waters at 1-8 m; large individuals occasionally at greater depths below 27 m (Ref. 75973). Juveniles occur solitary in caves or under ledges and act as cleaners by picking at bodies of other fishes (adults occasionally do this) (Ref. 1602); occurring regularly at depths of 14-26 m (Ref. 75973). Feed mainly on benthic, hard-shelled, invertebrates such as mollusks and crustaceans (Ref. 9823). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Not commonly marketed. Occasionally seen in the aquarium trade.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
Westneat, M.W., 2001. Labridae. Wrasses, hogfishes, razorfishes, corises, tuskfishes. p. 3381-3467. In K.E. Carpenter and V. Niem (eds.) FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes. The living marine resources of the Western Central Pacific. Vol. 6. Bony fishes part 4 (Labridae to Latimeriidae), estuarine crocodiles. FAO, Rome. (Ref. 9823)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; bait: occasionally
More information
ReferencesAquacultureAquaculture profileStrainsGeneticsAllele frequenciesHeritabilityDiseasesProcessingMass conversion
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Estimates of some properties based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82805): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01202 (0.00553 - 0.02613), b=3.05 (2.87 - 3.23), in cm Total Length, based on LWR estimates for this Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic Level (Ref.
69278): 3.4 ±0.45 se; Based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
69278): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low to moderate vulnerability (35 of 100) .
