The axilspot hogfish is sexually dimorphic with the adult males being coloured reddish-brown on the front part of their bodies contrasting with the white posterior end and having a sizeable black spot at the base of the pectoral fin, as well as on the dorsal and anal fins. The females and the juveniles are a blackish colour marked with white blotches along the upper and lower flanks. The juveniles of this species resemble those of the split-level hogfish (Bodianus mesothorax) but possess white instead of yellow spots.[3] It grows to a standard length of 20 centimetres (7.9 in).[2]
The adults of the axilspot hogfish are found in clear lagoon and along seaward reefs where they are common in clear shallow waters at depths of between 1 and 8 metres (3.3 and 26.2 ft). The larger fish are occasionally found in deeper water below 27 metres (89 ft). The juveniles are found singly in caves or under overhangs where they behave as cleaner fish, adults will sometimes behave in this way too. Their diet is made up of benthic, hard-shelled, invertebrates such as molluscs and crustaceans. It is oviparous and the males and females form distinct pairs when spawning.
Bennett, E. T. 1832. Observations on a collection of fishes from the Mauritius, presented by Mr. Telfair, with characters of new genera and species. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1830-31 (pt 1): 165–169.
Helfman, G., B. Collette i D. Facey: The diversity of fishes. Blackwell Science, Malden, Massachusetts, United States, 1997.
Moyle, P. i J. Cech.: Fishes: An Introduction to Ichthyology, 4. ed., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, United States: Prentice-Hall. Any 2000.
Nelson, J.: Fishes of the World, 3rd. ed.. New York, United States: John Wiley and Sons. Any 1994.
Wheeler, A.: The World Encyclopedia of Fishes, 2nd. ed., London: Macdonald. Any 1985.
Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
