Dr. Yuri Hooker, Peru
Info
(Jenyns, 1842)
Bodianus darwini is a slow-growing species, and not much is known about the biology of the large wrasse.
Sport fishermen occasionally catch wrasse, but extreme caution is advised, as Bodianus darwini can easily crack hard-shelled sea creatures with its powerful teeth (two pairs of enlarged, curved canines at the front of each jaw) and can also leave deep, bleeding wounds on the hands and even bite off fingers completely!
To prevent accidents, recreational and commercial fishermen should always wear protective gloves as a precaution!
The tooth pattern and mouth size of the wrasse can be observed here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/258608461
Bodianus darwini prefers algae-covered habitats in rocky reefs and kelp forests in the cooler southern and western regions of the Galápagos Islands.
Darwin's toothfish is a sedentary, non-migratory species.
Particularly impressive, in addition to their large teeth, is the coloration of large adult males, which can grow up to 70 cm under optimal conditions and develop a hump on their forehead and a broadened chin.
Coloration in the initial phase:
red with a white chin; may have a faint yellow spot directly behind the head and a black spot on the front of the dorsal fin.
Coloration in the terminal phase:
bluish-gray to blackish; chin white; a large yellow to orange spot on the flank behind the head.
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
Synonyms:
Cossyphus darwini Jenyns, 1842 · unaccepted
Dentex maculatus Pérez Canto, 1886 · unaccepted
Labrus aper Valenciennes, 1846 · unaccepted
Pimelometopon darwini (Jenyns, 1842) · unaccepted
Semicossyphus darwini (Jenyns, 1842) · unaccepted > superseded combination
Semicossyphus maculatus (Pérez Canto, 1886) · unaccepted
Semicosyphus darwini (Jenyns, 1842) · unaccepted > misspelling - incorrect subsequent spelling
Synonymised names
Cossyphus darwini Jenyns, 1842 · unaccepted
Dentex maculatus Pérez Canto, 1886 · unaccepted
Labrus aper Valenciennes, 1846 · unaccepted
Pimelometopon darwini (Jenyns, 1842) · unaccepted
Semicossyphus darwini (Jenyns, 1842) · unaccepted > superseded combination
Semicossyphus maculatus (Pérez Canto, 1886) · unaccepted
Semicosyphus darwini (Jenyns, 1842) · unaccepted > misspelling - incorrect subsequent spelling
Bodianus darwini is a slow-growing species, and not much is known about the biology of the large wrasse.
Sport fishermen occasionally catch wrasse, but extreme caution is advised, as Bodianus darwini can easily crack hard-shelled sea creatures with its powerful teeth (two pairs of enlarged, curved canines at the front of each jaw) and can also leave deep, bleeding wounds on the hands and even bite off fingers completely!
To prevent accidents, recreational and commercial fishermen should always wear protective gloves as a precaution!
The tooth pattern and mouth size of the wrasse can be observed here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/258608461
Bodianus darwini prefers algae-covered habitats in rocky reefs and kelp forests in the cooler southern and western regions of the Galápagos Islands.
Darwin's toothfish is a sedentary, non-migratory species.
Particularly impressive, in addition to their large teeth, is the coloration of large adult males, which can grow up to 70 cm under optimal conditions and develop a hump on their forehead and a broadened chin.
Coloration in the initial phase:
red with a white chin; may have a faint yellow spot directly behind the head and a black spot on the front of the dorsal fin.
Coloration in the terminal phase:
bluish-gray to blackish; chin white; a large yellow to orange spot on the flank behind the head.
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
Synonyms:
Cossyphus darwini Jenyns, 1842 · unaccepted
Dentex maculatus Pérez Canto, 1886 · unaccepted
Labrus aper Valenciennes, 1846 · unaccepted
Pimelometopon darwini (Jenyns, 1842) · unaccepted
Semicossyphus darwini (Jenyns, 1842) · unaccepted > superseded combination
Semicossyphus maculatus (Pérez Canto, 1886) · unaccepted
Semicosyphus darwini (Jenyns, 1842) · unaccepted > misspelling - incorrect subsequent spelling
Synonymised names
Cossyphus darwini Jenyns, 1842 · unaccepted
Dentex maculatus Pérez Canto, 1886 · unaccepted
Labrus aper Valenciennes, 1846 · unaccepted
Pimelometopon darwini (Jenyns, 1842) · unaccepted
Semicossyphus darwini (Jenyns, 1842) · unaccepted > superseded combination
Semicossyphus maculatus (Pérez Canto, 1886) · unaccepted
Semicosyphus darwini (Jenyns, 1842) · unaccepted > misspelling - incorrect subsequent spelling
