Spanish hogfish (Bodianus rufus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Family
Labridae (wrasses)
Origin
Western Atlantic, North Carolina and Bermuda through the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico to southern Brazil; coral and rock reefs at 1–70 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
40 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
750 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
no

Care

A hardy, bold, purple-and-yellow wrasse that becomes large; the 750-litre minimum is our estimate for an adult. Most stay under about 28 cm, but plan for 40 cm. Provide lots of swimming space, caves 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 act as cleaner fish on the reef. It is hardy and adapts easily to aquarium foods, so it suits a keeper with space for a big fish-only tank. 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/Bodianusrufus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Adults eat molluscs, crustaceans, brittle stars, sea urchins, worms and small fish. Offer frozen krill, mysis, chopped prawn, mussel and squid with marine pellets.

Breeding

Not bred in home aquaria. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite (females can change to males) and spawns in open water.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: it eats crabs, shrimps, snails, urchins and small fish. Keep with other robust fish such as large angelfish, tangs, groupers and triggerfish. It can bully newly added smaller fish.

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

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