Description:

Dorsal spines: 12; Dorsal rays: 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 12.

A small to medium-sized wrasse with an elongate head and snout. 

Colour: Adults are red with gold sides and red scale margins. Four or five white to yellow spots are situated above the lateral line. Prominent black 
blotch on the caudal fin. Juveniles are brown with numerous small to irregular white spots on the head and snout above the level of the mouth; spots 
behind the eye are usually distinct, and often aligned in rows. 
 

Maturity: Unknown. Max length: 16.9 cm TL.
 

Inhabits coral rich, seaward reefs (6-50 m) usually above 25 m. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. Feeds on benthic invertebrates, including 
molluscs and crustaceans. Juveniles regularly remove parasites from other fishes. Juveniles often associated with the mushroom coral Heliofungia actiniformis.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. Not subject to the artisanal fishery. 
 

Photographed at Astove atoll, Seychelles.
 

Bos, A.R. & B.W. Hoeksema (2015). "Cryptobenthic fishes and co-inhabiting shrimps associated with the mushroom coral Heliofungia actiniformis (Fungiidae) 
in the Davao Gulf, Philippines". Environmental Biology of Fishes. 98 (6): 1479–1489. 
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/5500 (22/09/22). 
Gomon, M.F. & Bray, D.J. (2016). Bodianus diana in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/212 (22/09/22). 
Mason-Parker, C. et al. (2021). Bodianus diana in Reef Fishes of Seychelles. John Beaufoy Publishing Ltd, UK
Russell, B. (2010). Bodianus diana. The IUCN Red List 2010: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187587A8575387.en. (22/09/22).

Mason-Parker, C. & Nevill, J.E.G. (2022). Bodianus diana, Diana’s hogfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/bodianus-diana-lacepede-1801/