Blackspot Pigfish

Interesting Info

• The Blackspot Pigfish can be found along the southern and western coastlines of Australia, particularly in the deeper waters off Western Australia and South Australia.
• Juvenile and female Blackspot Pigfish have a pale pink or orange body with black spots along their sides. As they transition into males, their coloration changes to a deeper red or maroon, with a black head and distinct blue markings on their fins.
• Blackspot Pigfish are opportunistic predators, feeding on a variety of invertebrates and small fishes. Their diet includes crustaceans, molluscs, worms, and smaller fish species.
• They are generally solitary or found in loose aggregations. They establish and defend territories around rocky outcrops, caves, and other suitable structures in their deep water habitats.
• Blackspot Pigfish often engage in symbiotic relationships with cleaner fish. They visit cleaning stations where cleaner fish, such as cleaner wrasses, remove parasites and dead skin from their bodies. This mutualistic behaviour benefits both the Blackspot Pigfish and the cleaner fish.
• They are protogynous hermaphrodites, transitioning from females to males. Breeding typically occurs during the warmer months, from late spring to early summer.
• Their estimated average lifespan is between 8 – 10 years and up to 15.