Hawaiian hogfish (Bodianus bilunulatus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Tuxedo hogfish, Saddle-back hogfish, Crescent-banded hogfish, Blackspot wrasse, Table boss
Family
Labridae (wrasses)
Origin
Indian Ocean from East Africa to the western Pacific (Japan, Philippines, New Caledonia); reef slopes at 3–160 m, adults deeper than juveniles.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
55 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
1000 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
with_caution

Care

A large wrasse that needs a very big tank; the 1,000-litre minimum is our estimate for an adult and should be treated as a minimum. Provide caves, open swimming space and 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. Juveniles are yellow and black and look very different from the larger, more muted adults. Name note: the Hawaiian population has been split off as a separate species, Bodianus albotaeniatus, so fish sold as Hawaiian hogfish may be that species; sellers should check origin. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern. It is fished locally and caught as a game fish. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodianusbilunulatus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A carnivore. Feed meaty foods: frozen krill, mysis, chopped prawn, mussel and squid, plus large marine pellets. Larger adults will also take small fish.

Breeding

Not bred in home aquaria. Like other hogfish it starts life as a female and may change to male; it spawns in open water.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe only with caution while small; adults eat crustaceans, molluscs, urchins, worms and small fish. Keep with large, robust tankmates such as big angelfish, tangs and triggerfish.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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