Saddleback Hogfish

The Saddleback Hogfish is a species of Wrasse. Its body is white with a black patch at the rear before the tail. There is a yellow mark across its face up and up to its dorsal fin. The yellow colouring will move back towards the tail as it matures. The black patch near the tail will also decrease in size with age.

These are a hermaphroditic species, with the female able to change sex if the situation requires a male. They are oviparous (egg layers) and form distinct pairs during breeding.

The Saddleback Hogfish is reef compatible as juveniles and offer the benefit of cleaning parasites off its tank buddies.

The natural environment for Saddleback Hogfish is on reef slopes anywhere between 3 – 160 metres. Juveniles tend to occupy the shallower areas while adults are found deeper down. They can grow to a length of 55 centimetres (22 in).

Saddleback Hogfish need a moderate level of care. They can be quite shy upon introduction to a new aquarium. You can keep them with aggressive fish but it's better introducing them after the Hogfish.

Tank Recommendations for the Saddleback Hogfish

The smallest recommended tank size is 150 gallons (568 litres).

There should be plenty of space for swimming and several suitable hiding places for shelter. Live rock provides both shelter and grazing opportunities.

As they grow and mature, the reef will become an easy meal ticket, making them more suited to a Fish Only or Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR) tank.

In a large tank, different species of Hogfish can co-habit. Their sizes need to be different so a pecking order can develop. Plenty of rocks and hiding places available with many Hogfish.

Suitable Tank Buddies

Saddleback Hogfish are compatible with many species, but smaller crustaceans will get eaten.

Aggressive fish are compatible up to a point. Fish that are larger and too aggressive may harass and peck at the Saddleback, causing it to stay hidden and starve.

Usually Compatible

Saddleback Hogfish can co-habit with a variety of fish. Suitable candidates include, Angels, Boxfish, Filefish, Goatfish, Hawkfish, and Tangs/Surgeons

Sometime Compatible

Caution is advised with Anglers/Frogs, Eels, Groupers, Pseudochromis, Squirrelfish and Triggers

Rarely Compatible

Hogfish will eat small invertebrates as they mature and grow. It is also recommended to avoid Seahorses/Pipefish and other Hogfish of a similar size.

Feeding Your Saddleback Hogfish

Saddleback Hogfish are carnivorous and will consume a wide variety of food. They search through the sand for food and will eat small fish, worms, crustaceans, sea urchins, squid, and shrimp. It is also recommended to include pellets to maintain a healthy diet.