Western Atlantic, North Carolina to Brazil including the Caribbean, with a record from São Tomé; rock and coral reefs at 15–120 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
28.5 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
400 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
with_caution
Care
An active, colourful wrasse (red with a yellow upper tail area in adults) that needs open swimming room and rockwork with caves. The 400-litre minimum is our estimate from its adult size; most specimens stay under about 18 cm. Keep a tight lid. Water figures given here are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity SG 1.023–1.026, with stable, well-oxygenated water. It lives mostly in deeper water than many reef fish, so dim corners and shelter help newly imported fish settle. Juveniles are yellow with a dark spot and are known to clean other fish. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodianuspulchellus). Checked October 2026.
Diet
A carnivore. Feed a varied meaty diet of frozen mysis, krill, chopped prawn and shellfish, plus marine pellets, two or three times daily.
Breeding
Not bred in home aquaria. Hogfish are protogynous hermaphrodites (females can become males) and spawn in open water.
Compatibility and tank mates
Listed as reef safe with caution: it leaves corals alone but will eat small crustaceans, snails, worms and other mobile invertebrates as it grows. Keep with robust fish of similar size; avoid tiny fish and timid planktivores.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.
About Aquatic-Auctions
Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.