HogBehFAQs

FAQs on Hogfish Wrasses, Genera Bodianus, Lachnolaimus Behavior

Related Articles: Hogfish Wrasses, Lachnolaimus maximus,

Bodianus diplotaenia (Gill 1862), the Mexican or Cortez Hogfish is more and more available. A real hardy species; but be forewarned, it is a real pig, getting big fast (to two and a half feet in length) from eating most all the food you can provide. Eastern Pacific. A male and female in the Galapagos.

Candy hogfish behavior 7/11/14
Hi,
<Frank>
I own a yellow candy hogfish and noticed that he has a tendency to nip Ich off of his fellow tankmates.
<Natural behavior for young Bodianus; but not Ich, the parasites themselves, but the irritation areas, dead tissue>
I know I should QT my fish and coral, but I'm lazy and impatient. When it comes to a stress free environment, I believe that Ich should not be a concern because a healthy fish will not be bothered by it.
<Good>
Anyway, I noticed that when I had a tang that was bullying my borbonius Anthias there was a outbreak in my tank. Its safe to say I sold my tang to another reefer and the harmonious balance in the tank is good. Finally, after the details is all said and done..... I noticed that my hogfish had no sign of the Ich cysts (he did flash a little). The hogfish was actually scanning all the fish and nipping the cysts on the fish and my fish were acting like they were getting cleaned by a shrimp (staying still and letting him look). These actions lead to my simple question for this species....do they act as a parasite eater in the wild
<Of a certainty yes. Just read my writing, see my pix on WWM re>
or do you think this is an isolated case. I see that he does this often and the fish in the tank let him. Thank you again for your help and wisdom.
Frank
<Cheers, Bob Fenner>

Dark Patches on Fishes... expensive Labrid improvements 12/10/13
Dear WWM Crew,
I was lucky enough to be one of the first in my country to own a Paracheilinus attenuatus. But sadly it turned from a vibrant coloured specimen to a relatively dull fish with dark patches all over the top within a couple of weeks. I have attached a picture of the before and after of the Attenuatus (Pls pardon the poor quality). I could still see the vibrant colours occasionally when it flashes but it looks dull otherwise.
My question is, is anything I could do to bring back the colour of the Attenuatus?
<Likely so... the issue/s here could be simply a lack of space (needs a bunch relative to its size... see WWM re the genus), or a lack of females... this and some other genera of Labrids need to live in a haremic condition to act, look their best>
On a separate note, I got a Bodianus opercularis from a friend who previously kept three Bodianus Opercularis in a 3 footer tank.
<... best kept just singly in such a small volume>
The piece that I got from him, being the smallest of the three, was being dominated, was hiding most of the time and its red parts had turned very dark red for most part of it's body except the area near the mouth. The other two pieces looked striking red. I adopted this piece from my friend in the hope that it will return to its formal striking red colour once away from the other two Bodianus Opercularis. But it has been 5 months since I got it but it only recovered slightly, even though it is doing very well in a 2 ft tank on it's own. My question is..again, is anything I could do to bring back the colour of the Opercularis?
<Nutrition and water quality would be my twin goals>
Thank you very much and looking forward to your reply. :)
Cheers,
Thomas
<And you; Bob Fenner>

Hey Bob 2/15/11
<Hey JS!>
I have been reading about the Spanish hogfish on WWM and other sites now for about two weeks. Coincidentally they just received one at my local fish store and its vibrant and beautiful.
<Neat animals. Smart, attractive, interesting behaviorally>
I just noticed today about the mute-colored 16" specimen in the picture you have underneath the genus.
Is this what all Spanish hogs look like at an older age and larger size?
<Usually, yes>
I read some literature that the purple fades, did you ever notice this through your experience with this fish?
<Yes>
I want to purchase this fish tomorrow before its sells but if the purple gets dull and drab, then I will just go with the Cuban hogfish. Thanks for sharing.
<Oh, this fading will/would take several years. Cheers, BobF>
Jason
Re: re: Hey Bob
Ohhhh bummer....so all of the yellow goes away? What color does the purple fade to?
<More pinkish... as in adding white to a tint. B>
Re: re: Hey Bob
Oh ok, that's not bad then.....still colorful. So in several years and at a larger size the yellow on the fish totally goes away? I thought it stayed yellow throughout its life.
<... all fades, but not totally>

Re: re: Hey Bob... What? - 2/16/11
Oh ok thanks for getting back to me. Dang....what would I do without you and this site! Hahaha! Well Bob, I bought him....here is a pic attached.
Do you see how his purple and yellow are kind of blending?
<... normal>
Will those markings (two-tone yellow/purple) stay the same with age, or will they change?
<All is change>
I know you said the intensity of the color fades but what about the distinct separation between the yellow/purple?
<Varies>
I saw the one that was completely purple (a muddy/ugly purple) on WWM and I am not fond of it.
When they are this "muddy" purple color with no yellow, are they normally born like that or do they develop this bland coloring?
<Ditto>
You state that there are different color variations and I guess I'm just wondering if they keep the two tone yellow/purple throughout their lives. I don't mind the "fading" and decrease in color intensity but I would hope they keep the two-tone markings.
Thanks again!
<Welcome. B>

Re: re: Hey Bob... Bodianus colour/beh. 2/17/11
Oh boy, I really hate to be annoying and a pain in the butt ...but I am confused about one of your replies in the last email. The verbiage in between your reply "varies" and "ditto", I don't understand what your reply "ditto" is referring to. Since I typed a two-part question which part of the question does your reply refer to: "born with this muddy coloration" or "develop at an older age"? I mean, do ALL Spanish hogs turn into full-bodied brownish/pinkish/purple coloring without the yellow (yellow going away completely)?
When purchasing this fish, I was under the assumption that if it had yellow as young, it will always have yellow. Granted, it may fade intensity and may blend a good amount but yellow will always be visible.
<Sorry for the lack of clarity... the fish will remain yellow and purplish throughout its life, just less so with time. Clear? B>
Re: re: Hey Bob
Hey, no apologies Bob ....it was probably just me having a "dense" moment.
Thanks again, enjoy the rest of your week!
<Ahh, thank you>

Re: re: Thalassoma and Coris <not> compatibility 3/28/11
Hey Bob, what are the chances that my Spanish hog will take on the "muddy" morph as it grows?
<... not likely>
I think its real ugly and its a waste of space in my 90. Most I see are proportionately purple/yellow. But when I Google (and in your book) I see a brown/purple overall blended together....not so attractive.
<This/that is an unusual "color morph">
My 4" is well proportioned color wise...at this size would I already see the "muddy" morph if it was going to be that way in the end at larger size?
<Thought I'd/we'd already gone over this.>

Lachnolaimus maximus growth - 12/6/07 Hi Robert <Sorry, Lynn here this morning!> I read that Lachnolaimus maximus are slow growers, but how slow is slow? <Actually, they can grow fairly quickly.> How long does it take to attain 15 inches? <Depends on how well fed they are. Please see this link (and related links above) for more info re: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/lachnolaimus.htm > Thanks <You're very welcome. -Lynn>

Cuban Hogfish behavior Hello I have had a 120 saltwater fish only tank going for about a year now. I have a lionfish, Foxface and a Cuban hogfish. I just recently purchased the hog a couple of days ago from my LFS. He Lays on the sand in the corner but when someone goes into that room he comes up swims around and acts normal. I have been feeding him a variety frozen prepared twice a day. Is laying down on the sand for a while normal for a Cuban hogfish? Do you think I should be feeding him more often? <Likely normal, you can read about how they are when introduced on WetWebMedia.com (look up Cuban Hogfish). As long as he recognizes you and reacts when you come in the room he is likely alright. I wouldn't feed any more often than you are. Craig>

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