Spanish hogfish (Bodianus rufus)

Scientific name: Bodianus rufus Linnaeus, 1758

The Spanish hogfish (Bodianus rufus) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–28°C (72–82°F). Native range: Western Atlantic, Bermuda, southern Florida (USA) and throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea to southern Brazil.

Spanish hogfish care at a glance

Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11 - 13. Head, upper front part of body, and front of dorsal fin blue if from shallow water, red if from deep; rest of body and tail yellow. Dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins mostly blue or red-yellow at rear.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Bodianus rufus
Family: Labridae (Wrasses)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 40.0
Common length: 28.0
Depth range: 1–70 m (3–230 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 70 m, usually 3 - 70 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: Bermuda, southern Florida (USA) and throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea to southern Brazil.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)