Red Stripe Hogfish (B. Opercularis)?

[Zionas]

I think they look very stunning, one of the most beautiful fish I’ve ever seen. However what’s their compatibility with other wrasses and with fish in general? Would it be safe if I have a Yellow Wrasse with them? Also how big do they get?

Would love to hear first hand experiences of them. How long do they live?

 

[mort]

It will go like this.

Initially peaceful, stunning little fish that gets on with everyone.
Middling, becomes more dominant and sticks up for itself.
Mature, complete and utter terror that's you'll happily strip the tank to remove.

Some people obviously have different experience but generally when they reach 4" they become ornery and will try to kill any wrasse, and sometimes any fish, you have. I've known them to kill tangs (read about because I know how bad these are I have never tried to keep one). It the same with the other closely related hogs so unless you go for a highly aggressive tanks with your triggers etc I would completely forget that family.

 

[Zionas]

Any fish that can take out a Tang..... ouch. Better to avoid I guess.

 

[Zionas]

I am actually referring to B. Sepiacaudus, my bad. How big can they get?

 

[mort]

I am actually referring to B. Sepiacaudus, my bad. How big can they get?

I thought you might be as it's by far the more common species of the two. They can get 5" or so and can be very nasty if you are unlucky.
I wouldn't expect the average one to kill a tang but they can be bullies, especially to timid fish and wrasse.

 

[Adamantium]

Is that the general consensus about these guys? Big bullies?

How do they get along with CUC like hermits and snails? Nothing tiny, like a sexy shrimp, of course.

 

[Zionas]

yeah would love to know more experiences

 

[Adamantium]

Anyone else have experiences with Peppermint Hogfish?

 

[mort]

Anyone else have experiences with Peppermint Hogfish?

I've seen/read them become nasty enough to know that although beautiful fish, I wouldn't add one but If you want wrasse info, you call the experts :D

@evolved @eatbreakfast

 

[Adamantium]

I've seen/read them become nasty enough to know that although beautiful fish, I wouldn't add one but If you want wrasse info, you call the experts :D

@evolved @eatbreakfast

Thanks! I’ve read that a bunch of times about Candy Striped Hogs, but people seem to have better things to say about Peppermint Hogs.

Would love to hear more from those with experience.

 

[mort]

Thanks! I’ve read that a bunch of times about Candy Striped Hogs, but people seem to have better things to say about Peppermint Hogs.

Would love to hear more from those with experience.

I think there might be some confusion, at least on my part. My advice was for B. sepiacaudus which is called the peppermint hogfish here and candy stripe hogfish is just another name it gets called. It's why common names suck as confusion is so easy.
If you are asking about B. opercularis then as far as im aware it's nearly identical in terms of attitude but it's not one that I've kept as it's far rarer. Zionas was actually meaning sepiacaudus when they created the thread I think so if you specifically want to know about opercularis then I can't give any first hand experience but hopefully others can.

 

[Adamantium]

I think there might be some confusion, at least on my part. My advice was for B. sepiacaudus which is called the peppermint hogfish here and candy stripe hogfish is just another name it gets called. It's why common names suck as confusion is so easy.
If you are asking about B. opercularis then as far as im aware it's nearly identical in terms of attitude but it's not one that I've kept as it's far rarer. Zionas was actually meaning sepiacaudus when they created the thread I think so if you specifically want to know about opercularis then I can't give any first hand experience but hopefully others can.

Ah, nope, I was indeed talking about sepiacaudus. I just ordered one. Hopefully it’s just ornery enough to hold its own against my six line without killing anything. Oof. Now I’m a little worried. Seller said it was totally safe to get...

 

[Zionas]

Ahh nice how big is yours?

 

[Zionas]

What about the lifespan of these Hogfish? Do they generally live longer than your typical Fairy and Flasher and smaller Halichoeres?

 

[mort]

Ah, nope, I was indeed talking about sepiacaudus. I just ordered one. Hopefully it’s just ornery enough to hold its own against my six line without killing anything. Oof. Now I’m a little worried. Seller said it was totally safe to get...

They tend to be ok for quite a while, possibly before they fully mature. It's very similar to a sixline in that respect. I'd be more worried about the sixline harming it to begin with tbh.

 

[Adamantium]

They tend to be ok for quite a while, possibly before they fully mature. It's very similar to a sixline in that respect. I'd be more worried about the sixline harming it to begin with tbh.

Yeah, good point. I plan to put the hogfish in an acclimation box for a few days, but who knows how effective that will really be....

My six line has been a model citizen, for the most part, so I'm not toooo worried, but their similar body types could be an issue for sure. I'm hoping the hogfish I get is a good bit bigger than the six line to make up for that.

Sucks that it's such a crap shoot.

 

[Zionas]

Ahhh I see. How long have you had your Six Line? And what else is in your tank?

 

[Adamantium]

Ahhh I see. How long have you had your Six Line? And what else is in your tank?

I've had him for about 2.5 years now. I'm not certain, but I think he killed a Swales Candy Basslet I got a few weeks back (still really bummed about that), so he's not harmless. The basslet was a lot smaller than him, though. He didn't show signs of a fight, but it's the only thing I can pin it on.

The tank also has a target mandarin, cleaner goby, two clowns, randall's goby, candy cane pistol shrimp, and two white spotted trimma gobies.

 

[Zionas]

Ahhh ok does he ever bother the gobies or the Pistol shrimp? And wow you have a Mandarin too. Does it eat anything you feed?

 

[Adamantium]

Ahhh ok does he ever bother the gobies or the Pistol shrimp? And wow you have a Mandarin too. Does it eat anything you feed?

Nope, never has bothered them. The pistol shrimp is verrrry reclusive (he lives with the Randall's goby), but they've been together over a year without issue.

It does! I got really lucky. The mandarin gobbles up mysis. He's a little chonker.