Mesothorax Hogfish Care Guide
Bodianus mesothorax is a Western Pacific and Indian Ocean reef wrasse with a sharp diagonal band dividing a dark front from a pale rear.
Overview
Bodianus mesothorax, the mesothorax or splitlevel hogfish, is a reef wrasse described by Bloch & Schneider in 1801. Juveniles are dark purple with bright yellow spots, while adults show a well-defined blackish diagonal band separating a purplish front from a paler yellowish rear. The colour change occurs at about 5-6 cm and takes only a few weeks.
Taxonomy
- Family: Labridae
- Genus: Bodianus
- Scientific name: Bodianus mesothorax
- Common synonyms: Coral Hogfish
Habitat
The species occurs in the Western Pacific between Japan and Australia, including New Caledonia and Fiji, and in the Indian Ocean along the western coasts of Malaysia and Indonesia. It is a marine, reef-associated fish recorded at depths of about 0-60 m, typically 5-20 m, on coral-rich outer reef slopes.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L (about 106 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 24-28 °C for the species, consistent with the reef-aquarium values above.
Diet
The species is a carnivore; FishBase places it at a trophic level of about 3.2. Adults often clean parasites from larger fishes.
Compatibility
As a wrasse that feeds on invertebrates, it is considered reef-cautious and may prey on small mobile invertebrates such as shrimps and snails. Adults swim near the substrate, while juveniles shelter in reef caves. 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 mesothorax as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.