All fish / Labridae

Cuban Hogfish

Bodianus pulchellus

Also known as spotfin hogfish, cuban hog, red cuban hogfish, cuban hogfish wrasse, キューバンホグフィッシュ, 古巴狐鲷

Adults are bright red with a white lower body stripe and a yellow patch at the rear of the back, while juveniles are yellow and act as cleaners. It is kept for its striking colour, hardiness and active, bold character in larger fish-only or robust reef tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

Singly, or one per large tank

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, krill, chopped seafood, quality pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Atlantic: Florida, Bahamas, Caribbean to Brazil

Breeding

It is a protogynous hermaphrodite that spawns in pairs in open water, releasing pelagic eggs. Captive breeding in home aquariums is essentially unknown.

Good to know

It will eat small crustaceans, snails and tiny fish, so it is not safe with ornamental shrimps or small tankmates. The trade name "Caution" is not a recognised common name, so check the scientific name when buying.