Cuban Hogfish Care Guide
Bodianus pulchellus is a Western Atlantic reef wrasse with a red front and yellow rear, growing to about 28 cm.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Bodianus pulchellus, known in the aquarium trade as the Cuban hogfish, is a wrasse of the family Labridae described by Poey in 1860. Adults show a deep red head and forebody that transitions to bright yellow on the rear of the dorsal fin and upper caudal region, with an indistinct white stripe along the mid-body. Juveniles are bright yellow with a black blotch on the front of the dorsal fin.
Taxonomy
- Family: Labridae
- Genus: Bodianus
- Scientific name: Bodianus pulchellus
Habitat
The species occurs in the Western Atlantic from South Carolina and Bermuda through the Caribbean south to Santa Catarina in Brazil, with an additional record from São Tomé in the Eastern Atlantic. It is reef-associated, inhabiting both coral and rocky reefs. The recorded depth range is 15 to 120 metres, but adults are rarely found deeper than 24 metres.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 500 L (132 gal)
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-12
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
Diet
This species is carnivorous. According to FishBase, adults feed on crabs and small shellfish, while juveniles act as cleaners, picking parasites from other fish. In the aquarium it accepts meaty marine foods offered around twice daily.
Compatibility
The Cuban hogfish is a semi-aggressive, diurnal, mid-water swimmer. As a predator of small invertebrates it will hunt ornamental shrimp and some snails, so it is not safe with small mobile inverts. Robust tankmates such as tangs, sturdy wrasses, triggerfish, and cardinalfish are more suitable.
Breeding
FishBase notes distinct pairing during breeding, and the species may hybridize with the Spanish hogfish (Bodianus rufus). Captive breeding is regarded as expert-level and is not commonly achieved.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is of minor commercial fisheries value and is taken for the aquarium trade.
Cuban Hogfish (Bodianus pulchellus): Breeding Notes
Overview
Bodianus pulchellus, the Cuban or spotfin hogfish, reaches about 28.5 cm, though most stay under 18 cm. Wikipedia places it in the Atlantic from North Carolina to Brazil and the Caribbean, on rock and coral reefs at depths of 15 to 120 metres but rarely deeper than 24 metres. Juveniles are bright yellow with a black dorsal marking; adults turn deep red in front with a yellow rear.
Sexing
Hogfishes are protogynous hermaphrodites, beginning life as females and changing into terminal males as they grow and gain social dominance. The largest, most dominant individual in a group is usually the male; there is no reliable external colour cue for sex.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
As with other Bodianus, spawning involves a pair rising off the reef to release eggs and milt into the water column. This open-water broadcast behaviour has not been documented in captivity for the Cuban hogfish and requires more space than home tanks allow.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs are pelagic and drift in the plankton, where the larvae develop before settling onto the reef. No documented captive-rearing method exists, so trade animals are wild-caught.
Common Challenges
Large adult size, a semi-aggressive temperament that targets small invertebrates, protogynous sex change and pelagic spawning combine to make home reproduction impractical. The dispersing larvae cannot be reared with standard equipment.