Axilspot hogfish habitat
This species is moderately small, to about 143 mm SL. It inhabits clear lagoon and seaward reefs. Adults occur commonly in clear shallow waters at depths of 1-8 m. Large individuals do occasionally occur at somewhat greater depths, having been collected below 27 m at Cocos-Keeling Atoll. Juveniles are often found in caves and beneath ledges in moderately deep waters, occurring regularly at depths of 14 to 26 m. It is almost always associated with well-developed coral reefs. It feeds mainly on benthic, hard-shelled, invertebrates such as mollusks and crustaceans. Juveniles act as cleaners by picking at bodies of other fishes (adults occasionally do this).
