Common Name/s: Candy / Twospot / Bimac Hogfish
Maximum Adult Size: 10cm
Natural Distribution: Indo-west-Pacific
Depth Range: 30 – 60m
Species Notes & Captive Care Notes: A wide ranging Indo-west-Pacific species, the Candy Hogfish favours rubble and sand areas of steep outer reef slopes, at depths between 30-60m. Forming small aggregations amongst soft corals and sponges, groups usually comprise of several juveniles and females, dominated by a single large male. Capable of growing to around 10cm, this is a fairly small hogfish species. Juveniles are bright yellow, while mature females take on more of an orange hue as reddish lines develop across the flanks. Male fish exhibit pink colouration with red lines. It is sometimes known as the Twospot hogfish due to the distinct black spots; one just behind the gill cover, and one at the base of the tail. Candy Hogfish are sequential protogynous hermaphrodites being born female but able to change sex to male. A range of common names are applied to this species including words like candy, yellow, golden, slender (and combinations). This species is not captive-bred as far as I know, indeed sources suggest that most are collected in the Philippines, Indonesia and the Maldives. Having said this, as recently as late March 2023, Rising Tide Conservation reported successful spawning and fry development of the species to 6 days post hach at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center aquaculture lab. Perhaps captive-bred specimens aren’t too far off into the future given this progress! Bodianus sanguineus (Sunrise hogfish) and B. tanyokidus bear superficially similar colouration, but both of these species are extremely rare in the trade and command a king’s ransom if ever available. Some authorities place all these species into the Trochocopus subgenus.
Visit our Hogfishes gallery to view more species profiles!
