Yellow Striped Hogfish

This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: scale rows in longitudinal series 41-42 (mode 41); pored lateral-line scales 39-40 (39); gill rakers 12-13 (13); least distance between anteroventral margin of orbit and maxilla 1.2-3.7% (mean 2.5%) of SL; without red blotches superimposed and protruded on midlateral red stripe in adults and young; without yellow stripe on dorsal fin; the space between upper and midlateral red stripes vivid yellow; in young individuals, black blotch superimposed on midlateral red stripe on opercle, blotch fading with growth (Ref. 105428).

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 12

An epibenthic species found on sandy, rubble and coral bottoms, with individual males sometimesaccompanied by a small harem (pers. comm. K. Nishiyama). It is most commonly seen at depths of 65-70 m during cold upwelling events (temperatures of 20-24C°) with adults observed to dive into the burrows of other organisms when startled, at Menjangan and Nusa Penida islands off Bali, Indonesia (Ref. 105428).