Eclipse Hogfish (Bodianus Mesothorax) saltwater aquarium fish portrait

The Eclipse Hogfish, Bodianus mesothorax, is a heavy-bodied member of the wrasse family Labridae collected across the Indo-Pacific. Juveniles wear a burgundy and yellow coat marked with pale spots that fade as the fish matures into the two-tone adult pattern: a burgundy to yellow forward half and a rosy-yellow to magenta rear separated by a bold black bar, the feature that earned the species its common name. Adults develop a thick, torpedo-shaped profile and powerful jaws built for crushing hard-shelled prey, and they reach roughly 6 inches in captivity.

On the reef, this hogfish patrols outer slopes and rubble zones near caves, ledges, and overhangs from shallow to moderate depths. Recreate that structure with sturdy rockwork arranged into caves and arches, but leave wide open lanes for cruising, since an adult spends much of its day covering ground. A 50-gallon aquarium is the practical minimum for one adult, and larger volumes give a maturing fish room to establish territory without pressuring its neighbors. Aragonite sand or fine crushed coral works well because this species does not burrow.

Moderate to strong flow with good oxygenation suits the fish, and a mature system with strong filtration and protein skimming helps handle the waste load created by a meaty diet. A tight-fitting lid is essential. Eclipse Hogfish are capable jumpers, particularly when startled by a new tankmate, a net, or sudden movement outside the glass.

In the wild, Bodianus mesothorax works rock faces and rubble for crustaceans, mollusks, and worms, crushing shells with its jaws. Captive specimens are unapologetic carnivores and take food eagerly. Offer a rotation of chopped mussel, clam, squid, krill, raw table shrimp, marine worms, and prepared frozen carnivore rations, supplemented with snails when you want the fish to work for a meal.

Feed once or twice daily, offering only what is consumed within a few minutes. Large adults often do well on a single substantial feeding with a small second snack later in the day. Variety matters more than volume here, since a monotonous diet of one protein does little for long-term condition or color.

Mussel Clam Squid Krill Raw Table Shrimp Marine Worms Frozen Carnivore Preparations Snails
This is a confident, food-driven fish that becomes increasingly boisterous and territorial with age. Juveniles tolerate mild-mannered neighbors reasonably well, but maturing individuals will harass smaller, docile tankmates, so plan the community around the adult rather than the fish you bring home. Suitable companions include tangs, rabbitfish, larger wrasses, dwarf and medium angelfish, robust clownfish, and dottybacks. Skip tiny, timid gobies and dartfish. Housing multiple hogfish together usually ends in conflict unless the system is very large and all individuals are introduced at the same time. One redeeming social habit is its tendency to pick parasites from the bodies of tankmates.

Eclipse Hogfish are not reef safe. Corals and other sessile invertebrates are generally left alone, but mobile invertebrates are treated as prey. Snails, worms, tubeworms, small crabs, and ornamental shrimp including peppermint, cleaner, and sexy shrimp are all at risk, and the fish will nip at bivalves and small clams as well. Cleanup crews rarely survive long alongside one, which makes a fish-only system with rockwork the most predictable home.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Eclipse Hogfish

  • Can an Eclipse Hogfish be kept in a reef aquarium?
    It is not reef safe. Corals and sessile invertebrates are usually ignored, but snails, worms, small crabs, ornamental shrimp, and small clams are hunted and eaten.
  • How large does an Eclipse Hogfish get, and what tank size does it need?
    Adults reach about 6 inches, and a 50-gallon aquarium is the minimum for a single specimen. Larger systems with open swimming lanes suit a mature, territorial fish better.
  • Which tankmates work best with an Eclipse Hogfish?
    Pair it with similarly sized, assertive fish such as tangs, rabbitfish, larger wrasses, dwarf or medium angelfish, robust clownfish, and dottybacks. Avoid small, timid gobies and dartfish.