The species is endemic to the Eastern Pacific and is found from the Gulf of California down to Chile, from Guadalupe to the Galapagos Islands. It inhabits rocky or coral areas at depths between 5 and 75 metres.The Mexican hogfish are so-called sequential hermaphrodites: they begin life as females but may later develop into fully functional males. This sex change in an individual apparently depends on social conditions in the population. They are solitary or live in small groups consisting of several females of different ages and one male. The male defends both its harem and the group's territory. The ranking among the females is characterised by a strict hierarchy which ultimately determines who will become the male's successor: when the male dies or disappears, the highest ranking female turns into a male and takes over all its functions.The Mexican hogfish is diurnal. At night it gathers in crevices and caves to sleep. Juveniles secrete a mucous while sleeping, which forms a protective cocoon around them during the night.Mexican hogfish feed on brittle stars, molluscs, sea urchins and crabs and are, for their part, potential prey for larger bony fish and sharks. Nonetheless, young hogfish specimen act as cleaner fish for larger species such as whitetip reef sharks and others.They are sold as both fresh and frozen food fish, even though their consumption has been linked to reports of ciguatera poisoning.
