True Masuda Hogfish - Bodianus Masudai

True Masuda Hogfish (Bodianus Masudai)

The True Masuda Hogfish is a striking and robust marine wrasse admired for its bold colouration, confident behaviour and distinctive hogfish body shape. Active and inquisitive, it spends much of the day exploring rockwork and the aquarium substrate in search of food. As it matures it can become increasingly assertive and predatory, making it best suited to larger marine aquariums with appropriately sized tankmates.

Common Name:
True Masuda Hogfish, Masuda Hogfish

Scientific Name (Latin):
Bodianus Masudai

Maximum Size:
Approximately 20–25 cm

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The True Masuda Hogfish is associated with tropical and subtropical reef environments, where it inhabits rocky reefs, reef slopes and areas containing substantial structure and shelter.

It spends much of its time close to rockwork, actively searching for small crustaceans, molluscs and other benthic prey.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Nitrate: Low and stable
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm

Temperament:
Semi-Aggressive / Predatory

The True Masuda Hogfish is generally confident and may become territorial towards smaller or more timid tankmates.

It is best housed with similarly robust marine fish that are large enough not to be viewed as prey.

Diet:
Carnivore

The True Masuda Hogfish naturally feeds on crustaceans, molluscs, worms and other small reef-associated animals.

In the aquarium, offer a varied diet including chopped prawn, mysis, krill, mussel, cockle, squid and quality marine carnivore pellets.

A varied, protein-rich diet will help maintain strong colouration and healthy body condition.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 400 litres

A spacious aquarium with a generous footprint and plenty of secure rockwork is recommended to accommodate its active swimming behaviour and adult size.

Behaviour & Activity:
The True Masuda Hogfish is an active daytime swimmer that spends much of its time investigating rockwork, crevices and the substrate for food.

It can become increasingly bold once settled and may dominate quieter areas of the aquarium.

Provide open swimming space together with caves, overhangs and secure rock formations.

Reef Safe:
Not Reef Safe

The True Masuda Hogfish should not be considered reef safe with ornamental invertebrates.

Shrimp, crabs, snails and other mobile invertebrates may be hunted and eaten as the fish grows.

Although healthy coral tissue is not generally its primary food source, its predatory behaviour makes it unsuitable for most conventional reef aquariums containing valuable clean-up crew animals.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Provide a large, mature marine aquarium with excellent filtration, strong oxygenation and substantial rockwork.

Tankmates should be robust, appropriately sized and capable of competing successfully at feeding time.

Avoid very small fish and ornamental crustaceans.

Rockwork should be positioned securely to provide stable caves and retreats.

A varied carnivorous diet should be offered regularly to support long-term health and colour.

A secure aquarium lid is recommended, particularly during acclimation.

Suitable for:
Intermediate to Experienced

Availability:
Availability can vary depending on season, collection area and supplier.

All 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.