Bodianus masudai

Datasheet

General Description

The Hogfish (Bodianus masudai) belongs to the Labridae family and is known for its behavior of foraging in the substrate using its snout. Native to regions in Australia, Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand, and the Central/West Pacific, these fish exhibit a hardy nature and can reach sizes of up to 12.0cm in length.

Aquarium Suitability

Being hermaphroditic, the Hogfish has the ability to change gender from female to male as needed. They are suitable for aquariums, requiring at least a 500-liter tank with plenty of hiding places, such as live rocks. It's recommended to introduce them to the aquarium before more aggressive species, as they can be initially shy and might display aggression towards docile species or those resembling themselves.

Demands, Care, and Hardiness

Hogfish are hardy creatures that can adapt to a variety of common fish foods over time but prefer a diet consisting of small crustaceans, zooplankton, and other invertebrates. They demand ample space for swimming and hiding, as well as a well-acclimatized environment before introducing more aggressive tankmates.

Reef Suitability

These fish are considered reef safe with caution, as they can become a threat to certain invertebrates like worms, snails, small bivalves, and crustaceans when fully grown. It's essential to provide suitable tankmates in a reef setup to avoid any predatory behavior towards other inhabitants.

Aquarium Setup

Setting up an aquarium for Hogfish entails providing a spacious environment with adequate hiding spots, such as live rocks. Maintaining water conditions within specific parameters, including a temperature range of 22.2-25.6°C, a pH of 8.1-8.4, a salinity level of 1.020-1.025, and a carbonate hardness of 8-12 dKH, is crucial for their well-being.

Behaviour

Hogfish are known to feed by searching through the sand for worms, small bivalves, and crustaceans. Their foraging behavior can cause the water to become cloudy and disrupt detritus in the tank. They can also exhibit aggressive tendencies towards other species, emphasizing the need for careful selection of tankmates.

Feeding and Diet

In captivity, Hogfish thrive on a diet of small mussels, crustaceans, and worms. They enjoy consuming small crustaceans like krill, mysis, and artemia, as well as zooplankton such as cyclops and pods. Providing a varied diet rich in invertebrates ensures their nutritional needs are met adequately.

Dimorphism and Reproduction

Hogfish are hermaphroditic, with the ability to change from female to male when the need arises. Females can transition to males within the species when a male presence is required for reproduction. This unique trait adds an interesting dynamic to their captive reproduction processes.

Habitat and Distribution

The Hogfish species can be found inhabiting regions across Australia, Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand, and the Central/West Pacific. They typically dwell in sandy substrates and rocky areas within these locations, demonstrating their affinity for foraging in the substrate for food sources.