Bodianus dictynna Gomon, 2006

Taxonomic Naming

Bodianus dictynna is a species of wrasse described by Gomon in 2006.

Geographical Distribution

It is native to tropical and warm temperate waters of the Western Pacific, ranging from the Indo-Malaysian Archipelago east to Tonga, north to Japan, and south to Australia.

Habitat Association

It is most often found associated with living coral reefs.

Juvenile Habitat

Juveniles of this species usually live near black coral and gorgonians, and can sometimes be found near cave ceilings.

Adult Diet

This species feeds primarily on benthic invertebrates, including molluscs and crustaceans.

Juvenile Feeding Behavior

Juveniles regularly act as cleaner fish, removing parasites from other fish.

Etymology of Specific Epithet

The specific epithet dictynna is an alternative name for Diana, the Roman goddess of hunting.

Relationship to Congeneric Species

This name references the close relationship between this species and Bodianus diana, a related species from the Indian Ocean.

Common Name Origin

The proposed common name Pacific Diana's pigfish also reflects this close relationship.