The Barred Hogfish is a species in the family of the Labridae and thus belongs to the superclass of the bony fish.
Description
Bodianus scrofa has an elongated, laterally compressed body. Males and females show different colourations. The Barred Hogfish will reach a maximum size of 80cm.
The female
The back is red, the side line is yellow and the belly white. On its head are white or green grains. His eye is also red with a black pupil.
The male
It is greyish-green coloured with red lateral line and red fins.
Habitat and Distribution
The Barred Hogfish lives over rocky reefs, at depths between 20 and 200m.
When diving in the Canaries itis rarely seen and usually distrustful towards divers.
It is also found around the Macaronesian islands. So its distributed around the Azores, Madeira, Salvage Islands and Cape Verde.
Biology
Bodianus scrofa lives in small groups in a territory. One male usually has 1 to 3 females. With a length between 45 and 65cm they change their sex from female to male. It is assumed that they spawn in the open water.
The juveniles live isolated deeper than 30m, protected in crevices and holes.
Bodianus scrofa feeds on invertebrates like echinoderms and snails.