{"product_id":"3-spot-hogfish","title":"3 Spot Hogfish | Bodianus axillaris","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlways on the move and full of curiosity, the 3 Spot Hogfish hunts across rock and sand throughout the day. It is a colourful, hardy wrasse that adds constant activity to a fish-only or robust reef system. Keep a tight-fitting lid, as wrasse are accomplished jumpers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, the 3 Spot Hogfish is associated with Indo-Pacific reefs, coral slopes, caves and rubble zones, usually at moderate depth. These environments provide a mixture of live rock, sandy pockets, crevices and abundant small invertebrates for the fish to forage over. Hogfish spend much of the day cruising the rockwork and sifting the substrate for food. Replicating this in the aquarium means providing mature live rock, open sand for foraging and secure caves for shelter. A bare or newly set-up tank is rarely ideal, as these fish do best in a settled system with established grazing surfaces and stable biological filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eJuveniles are dramatically different from adults: young fish are dark with bold white or yellow spots, while adults develop a pale front, dark rear and the contrasting markings that give the species its display appeal. The adult size of around 20 cm should be considered before purchase. The body is streamlined and the fish swims actively with its pectoral fins in the characteristic wrasse rowing motion. Healthy specimens should appear alert, well-filled through the body and interested in food, without cloudy eyes, pinched bellies or damaged fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as peaceful to semi-aggressive. It generally mixes well in a robust community but can become more assertive with age and towards smaller or more timid tank mates. Suitable companions include tangs, rabbitfish, larger wrasses, dwarf and larger angels, clownfish and other confident reef fish. It should not be trusted with small ornamental shrimp, tiny crabs, snails or other small mobile invertebrates, which it may hunt and eat. Add the fish to a settled aquarium and observe feeding and interactions as it establishes itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding should be varied and consistent. Offer a rotation of quality frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped prawn, squid, clam, mussel, marine fish flesh and premium marine pellets once accepted. Hard-shelled and meaty foods suit its natural diet of small invertebrates. Feed small portions once or twice daily and remove uneaten food before it affects water quality. Most individuals feed readily and quickly learn to take food from the water column, but new arrivals may need a quiet tank and a mix of meaty frozen foods to begin feeding strongly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor long-term success, provide a minimum aquarium size of 340 L, with 470 L or larger recommended for better swimming room and long-term stability. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Moderate to strong water movement suits this active fish. Lighting can be standard marine or reef lighting. Aquascaping should include mature live rock with caves and overhangs, plus open sand for foraging. Strong filtration, efficient protein skimming and regular water changes of 10–20% are recommended depending on stocking level. A tight-fitting lid is important, as wrasse are prone to jumping. This species is considered reef safe with caution: coral is generally left alone, but small ornamental crustaceans are at risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in the home aquarium is uncommon and not normally expected. Like many wrasses, Bodianus species are protogynous hermaphrodites, with females able to change into males as social conditions allow. In nature they spawn by releasing eggs and sperm into the water column, and the larval stages are delicate and require specialised planktonic foods beyond normal home aquarium keeping. For most hobbyists the focus should be on long-term health, correct feeding, low stress and careful compatibility rather than attempting to breed this species.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBodianus axillaris\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 Spot Hogfish (Axilspot Hogfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific reefs, coral slopes, caves and rubble zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–10 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful to semi-aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e340 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e470 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; meaty frozen foods and marine pellets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEstablished marine, reef and fish-only systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe with caution (not safe with small invertebrates)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include tangs, rabbitfish, larger wrasses, dwarf and larger angels, clownfish, hawkfish and other confident reef fish of similar size, provided the aquarium is large enough and feeding is well managed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with small ornamental shrimp, tiny crabs, snails and other small mobile invertebrates, as well as very timid fish that may be outcompeted at feeding time and highly aggressive predators that may harass it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234142896419,"sku":null,"price":89.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234142929187,"sku":"AA3663","price":99.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55234142961955,"sku":null,"price":109.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-20cm)","offer_id":55351942086947,"sku":null,"price":125.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Threespot_Hogfish_Bodianus_axillaris_6ec6e886-e4d6-4dfb-9502-2c0596c88fea.jpg?v=1781681633","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/3-spot-hogfish","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}