{"product_id":"candy-hogfish","title":"Candy Hogfish | Bodianus bimaculatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Candy Hogfish (Twospot or Yellow Candy Hogfish) is a small, brilliantly coloured deep-water hogfish, glowing yellow above and pink to lavender below. Peaceful, hardy and reef friendly, it is one of the few hogfish that stays small enough for most reef aquariums, and it makes a superb, active splash of colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, the Candy Hogfish is associated with deeper reef slopes and rubble zones of the western Pacific, often below the depths of many reef fish. It forages actively over rock and rubble for tiny invertebrates. Replicating this environment means providing mature live rock with caves and crevices, open swimming space and moderate flow. Because it comes from deeper, shaded water it appreciates some shaded retreats and is not troubled by lower light.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Candy Hogfish is bright yellow over the back, grading to pink or lavender below, with small dark spots on the dorsal fin and tail base. It reaches only around 10 cm, small for a hogfish. Colour is strongest in a healthy, well-fed fish. Healthy specimens are alert, active, well-filled through the body and quick to feed, 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, making it a good reef community fish, though it can be slightly territorial with its own kind unless a group is added together. Suitable companions include clownfish, tangs, wrasses, anthias, chromis, gobies and other peaceful to semi-aggressive reef fish. It is considered reef safe with caution: it will not harm corals but a larger individual may eat very small ornamental shrimp or tiny crustaceans, especially ones added after it is established.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed as a carnivore. Offer a rotation of frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped prawn and other meaty marine foods, plus quality marine pellets and flakes once accepted. Small feeds once or twice daily suit it. Most individuals feed readily and quickly become confident, adjusting easily to aquarium foods. A varied diet supports its bright colour and body condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor long-term success, provide a minimum aquarium size of 110 L, with 190 L or larger recommended for long-term comfort. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Moderate flow suits it. Lighting can be standard reef lighting, with some shaded retreats appreciated. Provide mature live rock with caves and crevices. Strong filtration, protein skimming and regular water changes of 10–20% are recommended. A tight-fitting lid is useful, as hogfish can jump.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in the home aquarium is uncommon and not normally expected. Like many wrasses and hogfish, Bodianus species are protogynous hermaphrodites and pelagic spawners with delicate planktonic larvae requiring specialised rearing beyond normal home aquarium keeping. For most hobbyists the focus should be on long-term health, correct feeding and low stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBodianus bimaculatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCandy Hogfish (Twospot \/ Yellow Candy Hogfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWestern Pacific deeper reef slopes and rubble zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\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\u003e110 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e190 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, pellets and flakes\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\u003eReef and marine community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe with caution (may eat very small shrimp)\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 clownfish, tangs, wrasses, anthias, chromis, gobies and other peaceful to semi-aggressive reef fish of similar size.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with very small ornamental shrimp that a larger individual may eat, highly aggressive fish that will harass it, and open-top tanks without a secure lid.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234120352035,"sku":"AA3061-S","price":115.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234120384803,"sku":"AA3061","price":129.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/candy-hogfish-43090659279139.webp?v=1790305588","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/candy-hogfish","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}