Parrotfishes & Wrasses
Spanish Hogfish
Bodianus rufus
Species Overview
Fusiform wrasse; head, upper front body and front of dorsal fin blue (shallow fish) or red (deep fish), rest of body and tail yellow; dorsal fin 12 spines/9–11 soft rays, anal fin 3 spines/11–13 soft rays.
- Size
- Common 28 cm TL (11 in); max recorded 40 cm TL (15.7 in), max weight 1.0 kg (FishBase); ReefGuide 20–35 cm (8–14 in).
- Habitat
- Marine, reef-associated; adults on rocky or coral reefs.
- Diet
- Brittle stars, crustaceans, mollusks and sea urchins; juveniles pick parasites from larger fishes.
- Range
- Throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida, Gulf and Bermuda; wider range south to southern Brazil.
Life stages
ReefGuide shows an Initial Phase; FishBase notes juveniles clean larger fishes; sex changes from female to male (protogynous).
Explore reef conservation
Learn about Caribbean reef habitats, invasive lionfish and the work of the Caribbean Reef Fish Foundation.
TL means total length; SL excludes the tail fin; FL measures to the tail fork. These measurements are not interchangeable.