The lyretail hogfish (Bodianus anthioides), also known as the lyretail pigfish, is a species of wrasse from the genus Bodianus. The fish can be found in the Indo-Pacific from the 🌊 Red Sea to Tuamotu (🇵🇫 French Polynesia). The adults occur along the seaward edges of reefs and in 🇫🇲 Micronesia are commonest below 25 metres (82 ft) in depth. They are solitary fish, forming pairs for spawning. The juvelines mimic cleaner fish. The species' diet includes echinoderms, molluscs, crustaceans, and small fish. It grows to a length of 25 centimetres (9.8 in).
The body has an orange-brown color in the front, with black spots on the back. The tail has a crescent shape. This species can be found in deep lagoons, bays, and coral reefs at depths ranging from 6 to 60 meters. It is a common species, with juveniles often found among gorgonians and black corals, while adults are usually found over sandy bottoms. This species is solitary and feeds on benthic invertebrates. It is frequently observed alongside damselfish.
Why it's threatened
There are no major threats known for this species. Aquarium collection of juveniles can be a potential threat to this species.
Threat classification from the IUCN Red List.
