Common name: Blackfin hogfish

Scientific name: Bodianus loxozonus (Snyder, 1908)
Blackfin Pigfish (Bodianus loxozonus) in Japan

General information

The Horseshoe Hogfish, Bodianus loxozonus, is a striking species known for its vibrant coloration and unique horseshoe-shaped marking on its side. This species is part of the wrasse family and is appreciated by aquarists for its bold personality and pest control abilities, as it often feeds on unwanted bristle worms and other small invertebrates in the aquarium.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
200 liter (53 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
Temperature
22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
15 cm (6″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Adapts well to captivity
Diet
Carnivore Enjoys meaty foods, mysis shrimp
Social
Solo Territorial, best kept alone
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Semi aggresive May be territorial
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Perch-like Fishes
    Perciformes
  5. Family
    Wrasses
    Labridae
  6. Genus
    Hogfish
    Bodianus
  7. Species
    Blackfin hogfish
    Bodianus loxozonus (Snyder, 1908)
  8. Synonyms
    Lepidaplois loxozonus Snyder, 1908
    Lepidaplois trotteri Fowler & Bean, 1923

Care

Horseshoe Hogfish are relatively hardy and can adapt to life in captivity if provided with a spacious tank that mimics their natural environment. They require plenty of swimming space and rockwork to graze on and hide among. A varied diet of meaty foods, including frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and quality marine pellets, will help maintain their health and coloration.

Reproduction

In the wild, Bodianus loxozonus exhibits protogynous hermaphroditism, where individuals start life as females and can change to males as they mature. Breeding them in captivity is challenging, and there are few reports of successful captive breeding.

Habitat

Horseshoe Hogfish are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the eastern coast of Africa to the central Pacific. They inhabit coral reefs and rocky outcrops, usually at depths ranging from 10 to 60 meters. They are often seen alone or in small groups, foraging for food among the substrate.