Splitlevel hogfish
📖 Overview
Ranging into subtropical zones as juveniles expatriate caused by warm currents during pelagic stage . Adults inhabit coral-rich outer reef slopes at depths of 5 to over 20 m, particularly near caves. Juveniles in caves; adults swim openly about, but usually close to the substrate, and often engage in cleaning larger fishes . Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11 - 12. Juveniles and adults resemble their counterparts of B. axillaris, but juveniles have yellow rather than white spots and adults have well-defined black band between the light and dark portions of the body and lack ocelli on the dorsal and anal fins. Color of juveniles changes completely to adult pattern when about 5-6 cm long. The change takes only a few weeks and intermediates are rarely seen .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Splitlevel hogfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 60 m , usually 5 - 20 m . Subtropical; 24°C - 28°C ; 32°N - 24°S east in the Nicobars at the edge of the Andaman Sea.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Splitlevel hogfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19.1 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 217 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Splitlevel hogfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Black-belt hogfish · Blackbelt Hogfish · Coral hogfish · Eclipse hogfish · Eclipse Pig-fish · eclipse pigfish · Mesothorax hogfish · Split-level hogfish · Splitlevel Hogfish · Splitlevel pigfish · Yellow-spotted hogfish |
| 🌍CES | ostnatec černoklínový |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Sortbæltet svinefisk |
| 🇩🇪German | Schwarzkeil-Schweinslippfisch |
| 🇫🇷French | Labre amiral |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Kesagakebera · ケサガケベラ |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Bodião-do-coral |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Doncella Crepuscular |
| 🌍TGL | Bankilan · Bunak · Bungat · Isdang bato · Mameng |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 三色龍 · 三齒仔 · 中胸寒鯛 · 中胸普提魚 · 中胸狐鯛 · 日本婆仔 · 粗鱗沙 · 紅娘仔 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodianus meosthorax | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Labrus mesothorax | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Lepidaplois mesothorax | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Scarus mordax | Gronow | 1854 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Splitlevel hogfish.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 15 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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