Blackspot Pigfish

Interesting Info

• The Blackspot Pigfish occurs in sub-tropical and warm-temperate waters off south-western Australia, from Ceduna in South Australia west to about Shark Bay in Western Australia.
• It is a temperate species that lives further south than most pigfishes, preferring cooler reef environments.
• The species is named for the bold black spot on the upper caudal peduncle (just before the tail fin), which stands out against its red and white body.
• The body is reddish-brown above and white below, often with two white blotches on the upper sides; fins are tinted yellow to orange.
• Juveniles are darker, often chocolate brown to black with white patches, providing camouflage among kelp and rubble.
• Males and females look very similar, though males tend to grow larger and may show brighter red tones during breeding.
• It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, beginning life as female with some individuals later transitioning to males.
• It feeds on hard-shelled invertebrates including crabs, molluscs, and sea urchins, using strong jaws and tusk-like teeth to crush prey.
• Foraging occurs by day over rocky reefs and kelp beds, with fish sheltering in caves and ledges at night.
• Spawning occurs in pairs or small groups, with eggs released into the water column to drift until hatching.
• Its lifespan is estimated at 10–12 years, similar to other medium-sized wrasses of southern reefs.
• Predators include large reef fish such as groupers and snapper, as well as seals in southern habitats.
• This pigfish helps regulate populations of sea urchins and crustaceans, playing an important ecological role in southern reef ecosystems.