Pigfish

PIGFISH

Bodianus volpinus

VIDEO

RECORD:   2.28, P. Saul, 1986

DESCRIPTION:

Pigfish are another common reef fish that make good eating.  There is a marked difference between the sexes with the male all red with a white spot on his back and the female turns from red to a whitey/yellow with red spots.  The female is considerably smaller than the male.  They are a very distinctive shape with a snout-like nose and a thick tail.

MoF REGULATIONS:

Size:                                    -

Bag limit:                         Part of 20 finfish limit

FEEDING HABITS & HABITAT:

Pigfish are a very territorial fish and you will only find one male in an area.  In actual fact all pigfish are born as females and the most dominant ones become males.  They will guard their territory fiercely and fight to the death with any intruders.  A carnivorous fish they have a very similar diet to snapper of molluscs, crustaceans and small fish.  Pigfish live on most kelpy reefs throughout New Zealand.

HUNTING TECHNIQUES:

Pigfish are an easy target and are not easily spooked.  You generally only shoot the males as the females are to small to be worth the effort.  A curious fish if you lie still enough in the weed they will come right up to check you out.  They also respond extremely well to ground bait and berley.