Hogfish Coral (Bodianus Mesothorax)
Also Known As: Coral Hog, Coral Hogfish
Compatibility and Behavior
The Coral Hogfish is a bold, high-energy reef resident with a real presence in the tank. The body features a striking divided coloration, with a deep pink to reddish face, accented by a contrasting yellow rear half of the fish divided by a diagonal black bar. The sleek, torpedo-shaped profile paired with alert, intelligent-looking eyes gives the fish an unmistakable "on patrol" vibe as it weaves through rockwork and overhangs. Personality-wise this is a semi-aggressive species that can get territorial as it matures, so it tends to do best alongside similarly sized or larger tankmates that won't be easily intimidated. It's considered reef safe with caution. It typically leaves corals alone, but it may prey on small ornamental shrimp, tiny crabs, and other bite-sized invertebrates once it settles in. In a spacious, well-stocked community, the Coral Hogfish quickly becomes an outgoing, highly visible swimmer that brings constant motion and color to the mid and lower water column.
Aquarium Requirements
A mature aquarium with plenty of live rock, caves, and crevices is the right setup for this species, giving it both cover and natural hunting routes through the reef. A tank with a decent footprint and ample rockwork lets this active fish establish territories and dart through the structure without feeling cramped. Moderate to strong flow and solid filtration support both the high activity level and the meaty diet. Coral Hogfish adapt well to a wide variety of lighting and reef styles, from mixed reefs to FOWLR systems, as long as the aquascape offers hiding spots and broken sightlines that help manage territorial tension. Offer a varied diet of frozen mysis shrimp, finely chopped shrimp, krill, and quality marine carnivore pellets to keep this fish robust, colorful, and less inclined to pester tankmates out of boredom or hunger.
Specifications
Approximate Size: Sm: 1.25-2", Md: 2-3", Lg 3-4"
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Western Atlantic/Caribbean reef areas
Care Level: Moderate
Reef Safe: With caution
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons or larger recommended
Special Considerations: Best housed with similarly sized or larger tankmates that won't be bullied; aquascape should provide hiding spots and broken sightlines to help manage territorial behavior
Pairs well with
Hogfish Coral (Bodianus Mesothorax)
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
-
Shipping Information
- Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday. Orders will be shipped overnight on the soonest possible shipping day, unless you request to hold the order for up to one business day.
- Your order will ship same-day if placed before 12:30 PM PST on a shipping day.
- Orders placed after 12:30 PM PST will ship on the next shipping day.
- Stay tuned to our Announcement Bar (black bar at the top of every page) for important shipping announcements...we may reach our max limit of orders we can ship on Mondays.
- If it is very hot, very cold, or if you live in a rural area, ship to a UPS Access Point to save your livestock from hours of exposure to the elements. Click here to see how.
-
FAQ’s
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.
-
Contact Us
Send us an email at sales@reefbeauties.com and we will get back to you shortly.
We do not offer phone calls. We handle our inquiries with timely emails to ensure a qualified and high-quality response, to have all conversations on record, and to avoid miscommunications that can occur over the phone.
Free shipping on orders over $199!
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if FedEx is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a FedEx Ship Center, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.