Opercularis Hogfish

Opercularis Hogfish

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Bodianus opercularis 

Overview
Reef Compatible: YES
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Semi-Agressive
Origin: South Asia

The Opercularis Hogfish (Bodianus opercularis) is a captivating reef fish with intriguing features. Let’s dive into the details:

1. Appearance:

   • A small, slender hogfish.
   • Three red stripes run along the head and body, with the lower two converging on the caudal fin.
   • Distinctive black spot on the gill cover and a black blotch on the anterior part of the dorsal fin.

2. Distribution:

   • Found in the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba (northward), Madagascar, Mauritius (southward), and eastward to Christmas Island.

3. Behavior:

   • Hardy and relatively easy to keep.
   • Often collected from Mauritius, where they coexist with deeper water species like Plectranthias pelicieri and Cirrhilabrus sanguineus.
   • Not as commonly discussed as other hogfish species, but still sought after by enthusiasts.

And now, let’s meet its close relative:

• Bodianus neopercularis:
  • Also known as the Blackspot Hogfish.
  • Native to tropical and warm temperate waters of the Indo-West Pacific, particularly the Marshall Islands.
  • Almost identical in appearance to B. opercularis, but with subtle differences in the anal fin and tail.

Both species are prized for their rarity and beauty. If you ever encounter one, consider yourself lucky!