Peppermint Hog (Bodainus Sepicaudis)
Also Known As: Candy Cane Hogfish, Crescent-tail Hogfish
Compatibility and Behavior
The Peppermint Hogfish (Bodianus sepiacaudus) wears its nicknames well, with a slender body striped in bold, bright horizontal red bands separated by narrow white, finished with a dark spot on the gill cover and an inky-black tail base...basically a peppermint or candy cane pattern. A nice detail for anyone buying small: younger individuals may show darker striping that reddens as the fish matures, so the color only gets better with age. It’s an active forager that explores rockwork and crevices hunting small invertebrates, and that appetite shapes its reef compatibility. It’s generally coral safe, but treat it as reef safe with caution, since ornamental shrimp, small crustaceans, and worms may become prey. It coexists with similarly sized, moderately assertive community fish, though a mature specimen may intimidate timid companions like firefish and delicate wrasses. Keeping one per tank is usually safest, as they can get territorial toward other hogfish. A new arrival may be shy at first before growing more outgoing.
Aquarium Requirements
A mature tank of 55 gallons or larger suits a single specimen in the offered size range, with 75 gallons giving more room for its active swimming and exploration. Build stable live-rock structures with caves, shaded overhangs, and interconnected passages while leaving open swimming lanes, and a sandy substrate offers extra foraging, though established rockwork and secure retreats matter most. Maintain effective filtration, good circulation, and ample oxygenation, and make sure a newly introduced fish can feed without being crowded by established tankmates. Use a tight-fitting lid with all openings covered, as this species may jump when startled.
Specifications
Approximate Size: Md: 2–3", Lg: 3–4"
Diet: Carnivore; mysis, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped marine seafood, and suitable marine pellets, fed 2–3 small meals daily
Origin: Western Central Pacific
Care Level: Moderate
Reef Safe: With caution
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Special Considerations: Coral safe but reef safe with caution, as it may prey on ornamental shrimp, small crustaceans, and worms. May jump, so a tight-fitting, fully covered lid is recommended.
Pairs well with
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
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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.
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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.
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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.