Bodianus mesothorax (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Adult Body Coloration

Adult Bodianus mesothorax have a distinct blackish diagonal band that separates the purplish head and anterior body from the whitish to yellowish posterior body.

Juvenile Body Coloration

In contrast, juveniles have a dark purple body covered in scattered bright yellow spots.

Juvenile Similar Species Distinction

Juvenile axilspot hogfish (Bodianus axillaris) are similar in appearance to juvenile Bodianus mesothorax, but juvenile axilspot hogfish have white spots instead of yellow spots.

Color Transition Trigger Length

Juvenile body coloration and pattern change to the adult form when the fish reach 5 to 6 cm (2.0 to 2.4 in) in length.

Color Transition Timeline

This complete change takes only a few weeks, so intermediate individuals are very rarely recorded.

Adult Similar Species Distinction

Adult Bodianus mesothorax are distinguished from adult axilspot hogfish by their dark diagonal band, and by the absence of spots on their dorsal and anal fins.

Species Distribution Range

Bodianus mesothorax is distributed across the Indo-Pacific, ranging west to the Nicobar Islands in the Andaman Sea, north to Japan, east to Fiji, and south to Australia.

Depth Habitat

This species occurs on reefs at depths between 5 and 40 m (16 to 131 ft), and rarely occurs deeper than 20 m (66 ft).

Life Stage Specific Habitat and Behavior

Juveniles specifically live within reef caves, while adult Bodianus mesothorax act as cleaner fish.