fish

Dorsal spines: 12; Dorsal rays: 9-10; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 12-13. A medium-sized wrasse.  

Body moderately deep. Dorsal profile of head nearly straight; snout pointed; jaws prominent. 4 canine teeth situated anteriorly in each jaw.  A large, curved canine present on eachside of rear of upper jaw. Dorsal fin continuous, caudal fin slightly rounded to double emarginate in adults.

Colour: Juveniles and females have a black body and large white spots. Adult males, brown to red anteriorly grading to white posteriorly, on a diagonal line from middle of abdomen to soft portion of dorsal fin, with yellow caudal fin; prominent black spot on the pectoral fin-base and on the soft dorsal and anal fins. 

Maturity: Unknown. Max length: 20.0 cm SL.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It does not appear to be subject to the artisanal fishery.

Photographed off northwest Mahé, Seychelles.

Bray, D.J. (2019). Bodianus axillaris in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/210 (15/02/23). 
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds) (2022). FishBase. Bodianus axillaris. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Bodianus-axillaris.html (15/02/23). 
Mason-Parker, C. et al. (2021). Bodianus axillaris in Reef Fishes of Seychelles. John Beaufoy Publishing Ltd, UK.
McGrouther, M. (2020). Axilspot Hogfish, Bodianus axillaris (Bennett, 1831). https://australian.museum/learn/animals/fishes/axilspot-hogfish-bodianus-axillaris-bennett-1831/ (15/02/23). 
Russell, B. (2010). Bodianus axillaris. The IUCN Red List 2010: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187516A8555482.en. (15/02/23).
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.