Tropical Fish Species

Hogfish

Cuban Hogfish - Bodianus pulchellus picture

The Hogfish may not have the prettiest face, with their long noses and large lips, but several species are beautifully colored and make for hardy aquarium subjects. Juveniles sport different colors and patterns from the adults so don’t be surprised if you wind up with a completely different looking fish than the one you originally bought!

They are found among the coral reefs in tropical areas throughout the world where they prey on fishes, crustaceans, mollusks and other invertebrates. Some species provide “grooming” services when young, acting as cleaner fish by removing parasites and dead skin off of larger fishes. Hogfishes range in size from 4 inches to over 2 feet in length, with the most commonly available types reaching around 9 inches in length.

Hogfish require a very large aquarium with lots of rockwork and several caves for hiding. Although they are quite hardy and can tolerate less than optimum water quality, an efficient filtration system along with frequent water changes is required to deal with the large amounts of food consumed and waste produced. Hogfish should be fed a varied diet of fresh and prepared meaty foods such as fish, shrimp, squid, clams, etc.

They can be housed with other large fish but it is best to keep only one Hogfish per tank to prevent fighting. They should not be kept with small fishes, crustaceans, or shellfish – these will be quickly devoured by the Hogfish.

Hogfish are hermaphrodites, first maturing into females and later changing into males. It is hard to differentiate between the sexes and very difficult to breed them in captivity.

TankConditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12

Compatibility: Foxface and rabbitfish, grunts and sweetlips, hawkfish, parrotfish, puffers, tangs and surgeons, live corals, live rock, sand.