{"product_id":"saddleback-hogfish-bodianus-loxozonus","title":"Saddleback Hogfish - Bodianus loxozonus","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaddleback Hogfish (Bodianus loxozonus)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Saddleback Hogfish, Bodianus loxozonus, is a bold and impressive marine hogfish, recognised for its strong body shape, reddish to yellow tones, blue facial striping and dark saddle-like marking towards the rear of the body. Also known as the Blackfin Hogfish or Blackfin Pigfish, this is an active, intelligent and predatory wrasse-type fish best suited to larger mature marine aquariums. It can make a striking feature fish, but it should be treated as reef safe with caution due to its natural hunting behaviour around small fish, worms, crustaceans and ornamental invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSaddleback Hogfish, Blackfin Hogfish, Blackfin Pigfish, Saddleback Pigfish, Blackfin Wrasse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBodianus loxozonus\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUp to around 47 cm in the wild, though aquarium specimens are often smaller. This is a large hogfish that requires substantial swimming space and careful long-term planning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMarine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFound across the Western Pacific, including reef regions from southern Japan down through parts of the western Pacific towards Australia, New Caledonia and surrounding island reef systems. In the wild, Saddleback Hogfish are associated with coral reefs, rocky reef slopes, rubble areas and reef structure, usually moving close to the bottom while searching for food among rockwork, sand and crevices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTemperature: 24–27°C\u003cbr\u003epH Range: 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003eHardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSemi-aggressive to aggressive. Saddleback Hogfish are strong, confident fish that can become territorial, especially as they grow. They are best kept with robust, suitably sized marine tank mates and should not be housed with tiny gobies, delicate dartfish, very peaceful wrasses or small ornamental shrimp-heavy setups. Avoid mixing with other hogfish or similar wrasses unless the aquarium is very large and carefully planned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCarnivorous. In the aquarium, offer a varied protein-rich diet including frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brineshrimp, chopped krill, prawn, mussel, clam, cockle, squid, finely chopped seafood and quality carnivore marine pellets. Adults may also hunt worms, small crustaceans, snails, crabs and very small fish within the aquarium, so invertebrate and small fish compatibility should be considered carefully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA minimum of around 750–1,000 litres is recommended for long-term care of a single specimen, with larger aquariums strongly preferred for adult fish. Provide mature rockwork, open swimming space, caves, strong filtration and clear territory breaks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn active and inquisitive hogfish that spends much of its time patrolling the lower and middle areas of the aquarium, investigating rockwork, rubble and substrate for food. It may become bold and interactive once settled, but it can also become more assertive with age and size. Rockwork should be secure, as larger hogfish may push into crevices or disturb loose pieces while searching for food. A tight-fitting lid is recommended, as wrasses and hogfish can jump when startled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eReef Safe with Caution\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSaddleback Hogfish do not normally feed directly on coral tissue like some coral-nipping butterflyfish or angelfish. However, they may eat ornamental shrimp, small crabs, worms, snails, tiny crustaceans and very small fish if given the opportunity. They are best suited to large fish-only systems or carefully planned reef aquariums where the risk to mobile invertebrates is understood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBest kept as a single specimen in a spacious, mature marine aquarium. This species should be planned around its adult size and predatory behaviour, not just its juvenile appearance. Avoid small or delicate tank mates, ornamental shrimp, tiny crabs and other animals that may be viewed as food. Provide strong filtration, stable water quality, plenty of swimming space and rockwork for security. Tank mate choice is important, as established hogfish can become dominant in smaller or overcrowded systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExperienced fishkeepers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpecialist marine hogfish \/ Availability can vary depending on collection, import, size and supplier\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":46178787426477,"sku":"AG-103803","price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":46178787459245,"sku":"AG-103804","price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":46178787492013,"sku":"AG-103805","price":55.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/SaddlebackHogfish-Bodianusloxozonus.jpg?v=1781875303","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/saddleback-hogfish-bodianus-loxozonus","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}