Crescent-tail Hogfish

Crescent-tail Hogfish

The Crescent-tail Hogfish (Bodianus sepiacaudus) is a small, refined member of the hogfish group, marked with clean white and pink-red banding and a distinctive dark crescent on the tail. A deeper-water species that stays small, it is more peaceful and reef-suitable than its larger relatives, making it an appealing and increasingly popular wrasse for marine aquariums.

Its modest size and gentle temperament set it apart from the boisterous larger hogfish, though it shares their appetite for small invertebrates.

Natural Habitat & Origin

Bodianus sepiacaudus is found on deeper reef slopes in the Indo-Pacific, where it forages over rock and rubble for small invertebrates, often in shaded areas and near drop-offs. It is a relatively recently described species associated with deeper reef environments.

In the aquarium it appreciates plenty of live rock with caves and crevices to forage in and shelter, and often settles best with subdued lighting at first, reflecting its deep-water origin.

Care Requirements

Maintain stable marine conditions: salinity around 1.024–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, and a temperature of about 24–26°C (75–79°F). Reaching only about 10 cm (4 inches), it suits a tank of around 115 litres (30 US gallons) or more. A secure lid is sensible, as wrasses can jump. It is a hardy, adaptable fish once acclimated, accepting prepared foods readily.

Diet & Feeding

The Crescent-tail Hogfish is a carnivore that feeds on small benthic invertebrates in the wild — tiny crustaceans, worms and similar. In the aquarium it accepts meaty foods well: frozen mysis and enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and small marine pellets. Feed once or twice a day; it is an enthusiastic feeder.

Behavior & Temperament

This is a relatively peaceful, active fish — gentler than the larger hogfish — that mixes well with similarly sized tankmates. It is best kept singly. It spends its day cruising the rockwork in search of small prey, retreating to cover when startled.

Tank Mates

Pair it with peaceful to semi-aggressive reef fish — other wrasses, tangs, anthias, gobies and similar. Avoid very aggressive species. With regard to the reef, it is coral-safe but not fully invertebrate-safe: it may hunt ornamental shrimp, tiny crustaceans and bristleworms, so keep it only in reefs without prized small mobile invertebrates.

Breeding

Bodianus sepiacaudus is a protogynous hermaphrodite, as is typical for the genus, but it is a pelagic spawner not bred in the home aquarium. Trade specimens are wild-collected.

Common Health Issues

The Crescent-tail Hogfish is hardy but, like all marine fish, can be affected by marine ich (Cryptocaryon irritans) and marine velvet (Amyloodinium ocellatum), particularly when stressed. Quarantine new arrivals, acclimate gently, keep water quality stable, and secure the lid against jumping. Given a tank with plenty of rockwork and a meaty diet, it is a hardy, peaceful and elegant small wrasse for an intermediate marine keeper.