Blackspot Candycane Hogfish
Bodianus opercularis
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
|---|
Every order ships with our standard 3-hour live arrival guarantee. Need more time? Add our 5-Day Guarantee at checkout.
Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | With Caution |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 90 gallons |
| Max Size | 8 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Blackspot Candycane Hogfish (Bodianus opercularis) is a reef-associated wrasse with red-and-white striping and a distinct black “ear” spot on the gill cover. Found through the Indian Ocean and Red Sea region, it’s a bold, always-searching fish that spends much of its day working along rock faces and crevices.
What You’ll Observe:
- Cruising the rockwork in steady laps, then stopping to inspect cracks and overhangs
- Quick, direct dashes to food during feeding time, followed by active foraging
- Regular “patrolling” of a favorite cave or overhang, especially as it settles in
- A noticeable shift in pattern intensity as it matures, with adult markings developing over time
Provide a tank with open swim lanes plus sturdy live rock structure with multiple caves and shaded ledges. Offer meaty foods like mysis, chopped seafood, and quality pellets, and use consistent feeding spots so tankmates learn the routine. In mixed communities, it does best when other fish are confident at mealtime and have their own defined shelter zones.
Will it eat shrimp, hermits, or snails?
Many hobbyists report this species treats ornamental crustaceans as food once it’s settled in, so plan your clean-up crew around that reality.
Does it get more assertive as it grows?
Keepers often note juveniles can become more “tank-dominant” with size, especially around food, while still remaining manageable with appropriately sized tankmates.
Can its color/pattern change enough to cause ID confusion?
Yes—people commonly report the tail and striping developing and shifting as the fish matures, which can make it resemble other similar Bodianus species in photos.
Does it mix well with fairy wrasses and other smaller wrasses?
It varies by individual, but many aquarists have better long-term results pairing it with sturdy, established fish rather than very passive, delicate wrasses.
Can you keep two hogfish together?
It’s sometimes done in larger systems with ample rockwork and distinct territories, but most hobbyists plan the introduction order carefully to keep interactions stable.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
Recently viewed products