lachnolaimus maximus
| Ecological Descriptors |
||||
| Habitat | Size (cm) | Diet | Behaviour | Sex |
| S/ Co | 35 (max 90) | Mol, Ech, Cru | I | PGH |
General:
Most wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites, with some Initial Phase (IP) females, turning into Terminal Phase (TP) males once they reach a certain size. Those individuals who remain female in TP, retain the markings of IP. Juveniles often have the same colouration as IP females.
Description:
Vary from pearl white to reddish with mottles or bands. First 3 spines of dorsal fin have very long filaments . Dark/ dusky area covering snoutand nape to start of dorsal fin on IP become nearly black on TP. Black blotch near end of dorsal fin tends to fade as transitions to TP.
Terminal Phase (TP): Dark bar runs from upper snout, above eye onto nape. Develops longer snout and filaments on tail. Vertical dark bar on tail.
Initial phase (IP): Black blotch on base of rear of dorsal fin.
Juvenile phase: White to dark brown wavy bars. 6- bars extend from eye to around head.
Ecology
Found on coral reefs at 3-30m (10-70ft) depth, especially sandy outer reef slopes. Often encountered where gorgonians are abundant. Juveniles are most common in shallow seagrass, and inshore reef habitats. Feed mainly on mollusks, also crabs and sea urchins
Life Cycle:
It protogynous hermaphrodite with a very slow rate of sex change (several months that occurs post maturation/ spawning). It has an extended spawning season from January to May. There is considerable variation in growth and age structure over the geographic range of this species. Sex change is initiated among individuals 30-40 cm (or 3-5 yrs) but was also observed in fish as large as 69.4 cm 913 yrs). Max. age 23 years. Harem spawner - Spawning activity is characterised by the following event called 'spawning rush': 1) pectoral swim up, 2) tail swim, 3) swin alongsode and tilt, 4) release, 5) circle and display, and 6) swim down.
Most wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites, with some Initial Phase (IP) females, turning into Terminal Phase (TP) males once they reach a certain size. Those individuals who remain female in TP, retain the markings of IP. Juveniles often have the same colouration as IP females.
Description:
Vary from pearl white to reddish with mottles or bands. First 3 spines of dorsal fin have very long filaments . Dark/ dusky area covering snoutand nape to start of dorsal fin on IP become nearly black on TP. Black blotch near end of dorsal fin tends to fade as transitions to TP.
Terminal Phase (TP): Dark bar runs from upper snout, above eye onto nape. Develops longer snout and filaments on tail. Vertical dark bar on tail.
Initial phase (IP): Black blotch on base of rear of dorsal fin.
Juvenile phase: White to dark brown wavy bars. 6- bars extend from eye to around head.
Ecology
Found on coral reefs at 3-30m (10-70ft) depth, especially sandy outer reef slopes. Often encountered where gorgonians are abundant. Juveniles are most common in shallow seagrass, and inshore reef habitats. Feed mainly on mollusks, also crabs and sea urchins
Life Cycle:
It protogynous hermaphrodite with a very slow rate of sex change (several months that occurs post maturation/ spawning). It has an extended spawning season from January to May. There is considerable variation in growth and age structure over the geographic range of this species. Sex change is initiated among individuals 30-40 cm (or 3-5 yrs) but was also observed in fish as large as 69.4 cm 913 yrs). Max. age 23 years. Harem spawner - Spawning activity is characterised by the following event called 'spawning rush': 1) pectoral swim up, 2) tail swim, 3) swin alongsode and tilt, 4) release, 5) circle and display, and 6) swim down.
(C) B Gratwicke
(C) Divepix
Hogfish (Intermediate Phase)
Hogfish (Terminal Phase)
Hogfish (Juvenile)
462
370
Hogfish (Terminal Phase)
