Eclipse Hogfish (Bodianus mesothorax) – Squeaky’s Aquatics

TheEclipse Hogfish(Bodianus mesothorax) is a striking Indo-Pacific wrasse-relative best known for its dramatic two-tone juvenile coloration — a deep purple-black front half offset by a brilliant yellow rear, accented with white spots that fade as the fish matures into a stunning red, white, and yellow adult. Hardy, personable, and constantly on the move, it’s one of the most rewarding intermediate-care reef fish you can keep, and a favorite showpiece among our saltwater livestock. Pair this active swimmer with a mature 100+ gallon system and watch it patrol every rock and ledge in the tank.

Care Guide

Eclipse Hogfish are considered intermediate-level fish — they’re hardy and disease-resistant once acclimated, but they need a sizable tank with plenty of rockwork and open swimming space. They are excellent eaters and rarely refuse food, which makes them straightforward to settle in. Provide a tight-fitting lid, as wrasse-family fish are notorious jumpers, especially when first introduced or when startled.

• Diet:Carnivorous. Feed a varied diet of meaty foods — frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, and high-quality marine pellets like Reef Nutrition TDO Chroma BOOST 2–3 times daily.
• Tank size:100 gallons minimum for a single specimen; larger is better given their active swimming behavior.
• Aquascape:Plenty of live rock, caves, and ledges for hunting and resting; leave open swimming lanes in the front of the tank.
• Lid required:Yes — these fish jump. A mesh lid or canopy is mandatory.
• Acclimation:Drip acclimate over 60–90 minutes before adding to your display.

Specifications

Common Name	Eclipse Hogfish, Mesothorax Hogfish, Coral Hogfish, Splitlevel Hogfish
Scientific Name	Bodianus mesothorax
Family	Labridae (wrasses)
Origin	Indo-Pacific (Indonesia, Philippines, Solomon Islands)
Care Level	Intermediate
Temperament	Semi-aggressive
Reef Safe	With caution (may eat ornamental shrimp and small inverts)
Diet	Carnivore
Max Adult Size	~7–8 inches
Minimum Tank Size	100 gallons
Temperature	72–78°F
pH	8.1–8.4
Specific Gravity	1.020–1.025
dKH	8–12

Compatibility

Eclipse Hogfish are best kept as the only hogfish in the tank but get along well with most peaceful and semi-aggressive marine fish of similar size. They tend to ignore corals entirely, making them suitable for reef tanks, but small ornamental shrimp, tiny crabs, and bristleworms are fair game.

• Good tank mates:Tangs, angelfish, larger clownfish, dottybacks, butterflyfish, and other wrasses such as the Six Line Wrasse or Cleaner Wrasse.
• Use caution with:Ornamental shrimp (peppermint, cleaner, fire), small hermit crabs, and snails — the hogfish may pick at them.
• Avoid:Other hogfish species, and very small/timid fish that may be bullied at feeding time.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Reef Nutrition TDO-EP2 Chroma BOOST Pellets — high-protein color-enhancing pellets
• Piscine Energetics PE Saltwater Pellets 3mm — premium marine staple
• SFBB Freeze Dried Mysis Shrimp — meaty supplemental feed
• Browse all marine nutrition
• Browse all saltwater livestock

FAQ

Will an Eclipse Hogfish eat my corals?
No — they ignore both LPS and SPS corals and don’t pick at zoanthids or mushrooms. They are reef-safe in that regard, but watch them around ornamental shrimp.

Does the color really change as it grows?
Yes. Juveniles show the iconic black-front, yellow-rear “eclipse” pattern. As they mature into adults, the body transitions to a vivid red and white above with a yellow lower half — a completely different look from the juvenile phase.

Do I really need a 100-gallon tank?
For long-term health, yes. They are active swimmers that grow to 7–8 inches and need horizontal swimming space. They will physically fit in a 75, but a 100+ gallon system gives them room to thrive without becoming stressed or aggressive.

Will it jump out of my tank?
Possibly, especially when first introduced or when chased. A tight-fitting mesh lid or canopy is essential — don’t skip this.