Spanish Hogfish

About this fish

Spanish Hogfish is a marine aquarium fish sold under the name “Spanish Hogfish” and identified as Bodianus rufus in the provided reference description. This wrasse-family fish is typically kept for its active, reef-adapted behavior and its need for a large, stable saltwater setup with rockwork for shelter and space to hunt. It’s a good fit for experienced reefkeepers who can meet its long-term size and feeding needs, and who choose tankmates carefully because it can be territorial and may eat small invertebrates.

Features:

• Marine wrasse (Labridae) that benefits from live rock or stable rockwork for hiding and security.
• Semi-aggressive temperament; may bully smaller, docile tankmates, so plan compatibility carefully.
• Diet should be meaty and offered multiple times per day to support healthy condition.
• May disturb or blow into sandbeds while foraging, so use sand/rubble arrangements that can tolerate this behavior.
• Best introduced last in the aquarium to reduce territorial stress.
• Juveniles and adults can show different coloration, but the animal-level identity (Bodianus rufus) stays the focus of care guidance.
• Requires a large system as it grows; adult husbandry is not the same scale as a typical small reef fish.

Specifications:

• Scientific name: Bodianus rufus (as provided) ([fws.gov](https://www.fws.gov/species/spanish-hogfish-bodianus-rufus?utm_source=openai))
• Care level: Intermediate (Saltcorner) ([saltcorner.com](https://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=1793))
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive ([saltcorner.com](https://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=1793))
• Diet: Carnivore; meaty foods (e.g., worms, mysis/brine shrimp, mussels, squid, small crustaceans/fish as available) ([saltcorner.com](https://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=1793))
• Adult size: Up to about 17 in (43 cm) ([saltcorner.com](https://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=1793))
• Minimum tank size (guidance): 200 gallons ([saltcorner.com](https://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=1793))
• Temperature: 72–80°F (22–27°C) ([saltcorner.com](https://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=1793))
• pH: 8.0–8.5 ([saltcorner.com](https://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=1793))
• Salinity / Specific gravity: 1.020–1.026 ([saltcorner.com](https://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=1793))
• Alkalinity (dKH): 8–12 dKH ([liveaquaria.com](https://www.liveaquaria.com/products/spanish-hogfish))