{"product_id":"peppermint-hogfish","title":"Peppermint Hogfish | Bodianus sepiacaudus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Peppermint Hogfish is a small, elegant deeper-water hogfish striped in candy red and white, sometimes called the Candy Cane or Pacific Redstripe Hogfish. It is an active, hardy fish that stays a manageable size, making it one of the more reef-friendly members of the genus Bodianus. It reaches around 9 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBodianus sepiacaudus is found in the Western Pacific, typically on deeper reef slopes and rubble zones with plenty of caves and overhangs. It patrols the rockwork hunting small invertebrates. In the aquarium it appreciates dim to moderate lighting, abundant live rock with crevices to explore, and open space to swim.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe body is white to pinkish with bold red to maroon horizontal stripes and a darker tail, giving the peppermint look. It is a slender, streamlined hogfish with the pointed snout typical of the group. Healthy specimens are alert, brightly coloured and constantly active over the rocks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful to semi-aggressive. As a juvenile it is well behaved, but as it matures it can bully smaller, more docile fish such as firefish and flasher or fairy wrasse. Keep it with tank mates of similar or larger size and confidence, and add it later in the stocking order to temper territorial behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore that actively hunts small crustaceans. Offer a varied meaty diet of mysis, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood and quality frozen preparations, along with pellets. Frequent feeding keeps its colour and condition up and reduces interest in ornamental invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 285 L with plenty of live rock and swimming room. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.023–1.025. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as this species is a known jumper. Moderate flow and stable water quality suit it well.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHogfish are not bred in home aquariums. They are pelagic spawners with tiny larvae that require specialised commercial rearing. Focus on a well-decorated, stable system and a varied diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBodianus sepiacaudus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeppermint Hogfish (Candy Cane Hogfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWestern Pacific deeper reef slopes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years\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\u003e285 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e380 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; mysis, enriched brine shrimp, chopped seafood, frozen preparations and 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\u003e1.023–1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef aquariums (with caution) and FOWLR systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe with caution; ignores corals but will hunt ornamental shrimp and other small crustaceans\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include tangs, angelfish, larger wrasse, rabbitfish, clownfish and other fish of similar size and confidence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with very timid fish such as firefish and small flasher or fairy wrasse that it may bully as an adult, and with ornamental shrimp and small crustaceans it is likely to eat.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234131132707,"sku":"AA2712-S","price":205.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234131165475,"sku":"AA2712","price":235.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/peppermint-hogfish-43090662555939.webp?v=1790305844","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/peppermint-hogfish","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}