Saddleback Hogfish (Bodianus bilunulatus)

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"

Care details

• Temperature: 72 - 78° F
• dKH: 8 - 12
• Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.025
• Color: White, Yellow and Black
• Family: Labridae
• Diet: Carnivore