Candy Cane Hogfish - Bodianus sepiacaudus

Candy Cane Hogfish (Bodianus sepiacaudus)

The Candy Cane Hogfish, Bodianus sepiacaudus, is a rare and eye-catching marine hogfish with bold red-and-white horizontal striping and a distinctive red crescent marking on the tail. Also known as the Crescent-tail Hogfish, Candy Cane Hog or Candystripe Hogfish, this Western Pacific species is a smaller, highly desirable member of the Bodianus group. It can make a striking feature fish in a mature marine aquarium, but like other hogfish it should be kept with care around small ornamental invertebrates.

Common Name:
Candy Cane Hogfish, Candy Cane Hog, Crescent-tail Hogfish, Crescent-tail Hog, Candystripe Hogfish, Red-and-white Hogfish.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Bodianus sepiacaudus

Maximum Size:
Up to around 12 cm.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Western Pacific reef regions. Naturally associated with steep reef drop-offs, reef ledges and deeper reef habitats. Adults are reported around reef ledges and drop-offs, while juveniles may occur deeper, using reef structure for shelter and foraging.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025

Temperament:
Semi-aggressive. Usually manageable with robust peaceful to moderately assertive marine fish, but may chase smaller wrasses, timid fish or newly introduced tank mates once established. It should not be housed with very small, delicate or easily bullied species.

Diet:
Carnivorous. In the aquarium, offer a varied diet of frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, krill, chopped clam, mussel, prawn, squid, marine fish flesh and quality marine carnivore pellets. It naturally takes small benthic prey and may eat worms, small crustaceans, tiny bivalves and other small invertebrates.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 400 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred if keeping it with other wrasses or active reef fish. Provide mature live rock, caves, overhangs, shaded retreats and open swimming space.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active, inquisitive hogfish that spends much of its time moving around rockwork, inspecting crevices and searching for small prey. It may also search sandy areas for food, which can stir detritus if the substrate is dirty. It is not a sand-burying wrasse, but it does need secure rockwork and hiding spaces for resting and retreat. A tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is strongly recommended, as hogfish and wrasses can jump when startled.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe with Caution
Generally safe with corals, but not fully safe with all invertebrates. It may eat small worms, feather dusters, tiny shrimps, small crabs, small bivalves, pods and other small mobile or sessile invertebrates. Ornamental shrimp should be considered at risk. Best suited to a fish-only-with-live-rock system or a robust reef where small invertebrate losses are acceptable.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, stable marine aquarium with plenty of live rock and hiding places. Avoid housing with very timid dartfish, tiny gobies, delicate shrimps or very passive wrasses. This species is sometimes confused in the trade with similar red-and-white hogfish such as Bodianus masudai and Bodianus opercularis, so exact identification should be checked where possible. Provide strong filtration, good oxygenation and a secure lid.

Suitable for:
Experienced fishkeepers

Availability:
Rare or occasional in trade

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.