Axilspot Hogfish Care Guide
Bodianus axillaris is an Indo-Pacific reef wrasse that changes dramatically with age, from black-and-white juveniles to dark adults with a white face.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Bodianus axillaris, the axilspot hogfish, is an Indo-Pacific wrasse first described by Bennett in 1832. It undergoes a dramatic colour change with growth: juveniles and females are blackish with large white spots, while adults develop reddish-brown fronts with white posterior sections and black spots on the soft dorsal and anal fins.
Taxonomy
- Family: Labridae
- Genus: Bodianus
- Scientific name: Bodianus axillaris
- Common synonyms: Axilspot Hogfish
Habitat
The species ranges across the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea to South Africa and east to the Marshall, Marquesan and Tuamotu islands, north to Japan. It is a marine, reef-associated fish recorded at depths of about 2-100 m, usually 2-40 m. Adults occupy clear lagoon and seaward reefs in shallower water, while juveniles shelter singly in caves or under overhangs at greater depth, where they act as cleaners.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 500 L (about 132 gal)
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness range (dKH): 8-12
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
FishBase reports a natural temperature range of about 24-27 °C for the species, consistent with the reef-aquarium values above.
Diet
The axilspot hogfish is a carnivore that feeds mainly on benthic, hard-shelled invertebrates such as molluscs and crustaceans; FishBase places it at a trophic level of about 3.4.
Compatibility
Because it preys on hard-shelled invertebrates, the species is considered reef-cautious and may consume small shrimps and snails. It suits robust marine tankmates in a large reef or fish-only system.
Breeding
The species is oviparous and forms distinct pairs during breeding. It is not commonly bred in aquaria.
Conservation status
Wikipedia lists Bodianus axillaris as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Axil-Spot Hogfish (Bodianus axillaris): Breeding Notes
Overview
Bodianus axillaris, the axilspot hogfish, reaches about 20 cm standard length and ranges across the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and South Africa to the Marshall, Marquesan and Tuamotu islands and Japan. Wikipedia records adults in clear shallow lagoon and seaward reefs at 1 to 8 metres, feeding on hard-shelled molluscs and crustaceans. Juveniles are blackish with white markings and act as cleaner fish.
Sexing
Wikipedia notes males show reddish-brown fronts with white rears and prominent black spots, while females and juveniles are blackish with white flank markings. As a protogynous hogfish, dominant females transform into terminal males, so the largest, most strongly marked fish is generally male.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The species is oviparous and forms distinct pairs when spawning. The pair rises off the reef to broadcast eggs and milt into open water. This pelagic ascent demands swimming room and has not been documented under aquarium conditions for this species.
Egg & Fry Care
The eggs are pelagic and disperse into the plankton, where larvae develop before settling onto the reef and adopting the cleaner-fish juvenile phase. No documented home protocol exists for raising the larvae, so the species is wild-caught.
Common Challenges
Adult size, a diet of hard-shelled invertebrates that endangers tank inverts, protogynous sex change and pelagic spawning all stand in the way of captive reproduction. Pairing is risky and the planktonic larvae cannot be reared with standard gear.