Saddleback Hogfish
Saddleback Hogfish
(Bodianus bilunulatus)
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Care Level: Moderate
Color: White, Yellow and Black
Diet: Carnivore
dKH: 8 - 12
Family: Labridae
Maximum Size: 22"
Minimum Tank Size: 150 Gallons
pH: 8.1 - 8.4
Reef Compatible: Juvenile: Yes; Adult: No
Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.025
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Temperature: 72 - 78° F
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Overview
The juvenile Saddleback Hogfish, also known as the Hawaiian Hogfish or Pacific Hogfish, has a white body with a large yellow swatch across the face and a large black patch just before the tail. With maturity, however, the yellow coloration will migrate back through the fins until reaching the tail. The black patch will also change, decreasing in size.
It is a beneficial fish for a 50 gallon or larger reef tank as a youth, cleaning parasites off of its tank mates. With maturity, however, it will need to be in a 150 gallon or larger fish-only tank, or the reef will become its buffet. It is aggressive towards smaller, docile fish that are easily bullied.
The mature adult will eat snails, worms, mussels, small fish, shrimp, and squid.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 1-1/2"; Small/Medium 1-1/2" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3"; Medium/Large 3" to 4" Large; 4" to 5"; X-Large 5" to 6"