Lyretail Hogfish
Bodianus anthioides
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 2.75 - 3.75" - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $294.99.$154.99Current price is: $154.99. | Email me |
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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 | 70 gallons |
| Max Size | 8 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Lyretail Hogfish (Bodianus anthioides) is an Indo-Pacific wrasse with a reddish-orange face, a white rear body with red highlights, and a long lyre-shaped tail. It spends much of the day cruising rockwork and sand edges, adding constant motion and “patrol” behavior to a marine aquarium. Juveniles may inspect larger fish closely before shifting to a more meaty, hunting style as they mature.
What You’ll Observe:
- Slow, deliberate laps around the rockwork with quick turns into caves and overhangs
- A strong “feeding-time” response, often tracking food through the water column
- Foraging behavior near the bottom, including short bursts of sand-focused searching
- A tendency to pick a favorite route and repeat it throughout the day
Provide a mature tank with plenty of rock structure and several hiding spots so it can settle in and stay visible on its daily patrols. Offer a varied rotation of meaty frozen foods (like mysis, chopped clam, and other marine blends) and feed in a way that lets it grab pieces confidently. Plan your invertebrate choices with its hunting instincts in mind so the tank stays balanced and predictable.
Is a Lyretail Hogfish actually a wrasse?
Yes—hogfish are wrasses (family Labridae), and “hogfish” is the common name used for several wrasse species.
My new Lyretail Hogfish is hiding and not eating right away—what helps?
Many keepers give it a few quiet days with subdued lighting, then try enticing foods (including live worms) until it starts responding at feeding time.
What foods work well for getting the first strong feeding response?
A “mixed” offering (multiple frozen cube types thawed together into a simple mash) is a common trick when one single food isn’t getting attention.
What’s a low-stress way to introduce one to a tank with a dominant resident fish?
Using an acclimation box first is a common approach so both fish can see each other without immediate contact.
Does it pick a favorite cave or corner, and is that normal?
Yes—new arrivals often choose one secure spot, then gradually expand their patrol route as they get comfortable.
Our selection process means you get robust, well-adjusted specimens that settle in quickly.
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