Blackbar Hogfish

The Blackbar Hogfish (Bodianus speciosus) is a large hogfish (wrasse family) from the eastern-central Atlantic that develops a dark vertical bar behind the pectoral fin as it matures. It uses an elongated snout and strong jaws to work along rock and sediment for meaty foods.

What You’ll Observe:

• Cruises the rockwork, pausing to inspect crevices
• Probes sand and rubble with its snout while foraging
• Becomes a first-at-feeding fish at meal time
• Often chooses a favorite cave for nighttime resting

Provide open swimming lanes plus rockwork with several caves. Offer chopped seafood, frozen meaty blends, and quality pellets in multiple small feedings. Keep the aquarium securely covered and give it room to turn and accelerate.

Will its coloration change as it grows?
Yes—juveniles and females stay paler with a dorsal spot, while mature males darken and show the black bar.

Does it rearrange sand or knock over frags?
While foraging it can push small rubble, so mount frags on stable rock.

Can I keep more than one Blackbar Hogfish?
This species is described as living in a harem structure, so multiples are best attempted only in very large systems with planned introductions.

What foods get it eating fastest after arrival?
Many keepers start with frozen meaty items (like mysis/krill) and finely chopped shrimp, then mix in pellets as it settles.

Will it eat cleaner shrimp or crabs?
It naturally targets hard-shelled invertebrates, so decorative shrimp and crabs may be treated as food.

We source from vetted suppliers known for healthy, long-lived specimens.