Candystripe Hogfish
Bodianus opercularis
A striking deep-water hogfish showcasing bold red and white horizontal stripes. Solitary and carnivorous, it prefers dimly lit aquariums with extensive caves and a secure lid to prevent leaping.
Temperatura da água
22 - 26 °C
Valor de pH
8.1 - 8.4
Tipo de água
Marinho
Nível do tanque
Todos os níveis
Tamanho adulto
10 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 150 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 1
KH
8 - 12 dKH
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat:
The Bodianus opercularis is widely distributed in the Western Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to Mauritius, Christmas Island, and southern Japan. It is a deep-water reef species, typically found at depths of 35 to 75 meters along steep drop-offs.
Taxonomy and Morphology:
Member of the family Labridae. Features a slender body, a pointed snout, and large eyes adapted for low-light conditions. It grows to a maximum length of about 10 cm, making it suitable for mid-sized tanks.
Social Behavior:
This species has solitary and active habits. It spends most of its time searching for food among rock crevices. It may exhibit territorial aggression toward other hogfish or wrasses with similar colors.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism:
It displays bright red and white horizontal stripes. A prominent black spot is located on the operculum (gill cover), which is a key distinguishing feature. No sexual dimorphism is observed.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup:
Requires a mature marine aquarium of at least 150 liters. Provide a rockwork setup with numerous caves and shaded areas. A tight-fitting lid is mandatory, as this fish is prone to jumping.
Diet and Feeding:
Strictly carnivore. Feeds on small benthic invertebrates. Provide a diet of high-quality frozen foods like mysis, krill, and artemia. Feed two to three times daily.
Water Quality:
Prefers slightly cooler temperatures, ideally between 22 and 26 °C. Maintain pH at 8.1-8.4 and salinity at SG 1.020-1.025. Good filtration and protein skimming are essential.
Compatibility and Cohabitation:
Reef safe with caution. It is safe with corals but will prey on small ornamental shrimp. Can be kept with larger or semi-aggressive fish like tangs and clownfish.
Aquarium Breeding:
Breeding in captivity is not documented in home aquariums. They are broadcast spawners in nature, releasing pelagic eggs into the water column.
Risks and Diseases:
High jump hazard. It can be sensitive to stress during acclimation. Susceptible to marine ich if water parameters fluctuate. A quarantine period is highly recommended.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
The Bodianus opercularis is widely distributed in the Western Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to Mauritius, Christmas Island, and southern Japan. It is a deep-water reef species, typically found at depths of 35 to 75 meters along steep drop-offs.
Origem
Oceanos tropicais e recifesÁfrica e MadagascarLeste Asiático
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Aggressive
- Semi-aggressive as they mature. They may bully smaller or newly added fish. Keep with similarly sized robust companions.
- Dieta
- Carnivore
- Predatory carnivores requiring meaty foods. Provide chopped squid, mysis shrimp, and krill. They will also accept sinking pellets.
- Expectativa de vida
- 10-12 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 10 cm
- Proporção sexual
- Solitary
- Best kept singly in most aquariums. A male and female pair can be kept in very large tanks. Two males will be aggressively territorial.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- Two or three daily feedings are sufficient. They have a healthy appetite. Ensure variety to maintain their health.
- Carga biológica
- Medium
- Hogfish generate a moderate bioload. They are hearty eaters and active swimmers. Maintain good water quality with regular changes.
- Fluxo
- Strong
- Moderate water movement is adequate. They do well in standard reef flow patterns. Ensure good surface agitation.
- Risco de salto
- Yes
- They can jump if threatened by tank mates. A secure cover is highly recommended. Keep water parameters stable to avoid stress.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Captive breeding is not commonly achieved. They are pelagic broadcast spawners. Larval stages are pelagic and hard to feed.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- With caution
- Generally safe with larger fish. They will eat small crustaceans and shrimp. Not considered completely reef safe.
- Nível do tanque
- All levels
- They frequent the lower to middle regions. They like to swim around caves and crevices. They sleep in the rockwork at night.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 3,5 ± 0,37 se
- Resiliência
- Alta (menos de 15 meses)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.01047, b = 3.08
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (10 / 100)
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