Bodianus pulchellus

Datasheet

General Description

The Spotfin hogfish, scientifically known as Bodianus pulchellus, belongs to the Labridae family. These fish, characterized by their striking appearance and behavior, are named after their foraging technique of searching for food in the substrate using their snout. In their natural habitat, they are often observed blowing water into the sand, following other fish that have stirred up the substrate.

Aquarium Suitability

Considered suitable with care in aquarium settings, the Spotfin hogfish is known to be hardy but demands a very large tank when fully grown, generally exceeding the capacity of a typical home aquarium. To thrive, they require ample space for swimming and hiding places, such as among live rocks. This species can display aggression if not provided with enough room and may also exhibit aggression towards docile species or those that resemble themselves.

Care and Hardiness

The Spotfin hogfish is considered hardy and can adapt to a variety of fish foods over time. However, they require a diverse diet to maintain optimal health and vibrancy. When introduced into a new aquarium, they may initially be shy and lose coloration over time. To combat color loss, a diet rich in pigment and high-quality varied foods are recommended.

Reef Suitability

Reef enthusiasts can house the Spotfin hogfish with caution, as they are labeled as reef-safe with some caveats. When fully grown, they may pose a threat to various invertebrates such as worms, snails, bivalves, and crustaceans.

Aquarium Setup

For optimal care of the Spotfin hogfish, a tank size of at least 700 liters is recommended to accommodate their growth and activity levels. It is crucial to provide plenty of hiding spots and a diverse environment that mimics their natural habitat, including sandy substrates for foraging. Maintaining good water quality with parameters such as pH between 8.1-8.4, temperature ranging from 22.2-25.6°C, and a specific gravity of 1.020-1.025 is essential for their well-being.

Behaviour

Spotfin hogfish are known to be active swimmers and will forage through the sand for food, which can stir up detritus and cloud the water. They may hide for extended periods if kept with aggressive tank mates.

Feeding and Diet

Their diet mainly consists of worms, small bivalves, small crustaceans, and larger crustaceans like shrimp and crabs. They also feed on other invertebrates and small crustaceans such as krill, mysis, and artemia. Providing a varied diet that includes these components will help maintain their health and coloration.

Dimorphism and Captive Reproduction

The Spotfin hogfish is hermaphroditic, with the ability to change its gender from female to male. In captive settings, they can coexist with multiple individuals of the same species if introduced simultaneously.

Habitat and Distribution

In the wild, Spotfin hogfish can be found in the Western Atlantic from South Carolina, USA, to Bermuda and down to Honduras and Santa Catarina, Brazil. They are also present in the Eastern Atlantic near São Tomé Island. These fish thrive in the West Indian Ocean and the Mexican Gulf, where they inhabit sandy substrates and rocky areas in tropical waters.