🐠 Axilspot Hogfish (Bodianus axillaris)
A Dramatic Transformation From Black Polka Dots to Fuchsia and White • False Eyespots on the Dorsal and Anal Fins • Hog-Like Sand-Foraging Behaviour
 
📋 The Axilspot Hogfish, also known as the Panda Hogfish, Coral Hogfish, or Polkadot Wrasse, undergoes a dramatic transformation as it grows, juveniles are blackish-brown with around nine white spots, while adults develop a striking fuchsia-pink front half fading to white on the rear, with a false eyespot on the dorsal and anal fins.
It comes from a wide range across the Indo-Pacific, inhabiting clear lagoon and seaward reefs, typically at depths of 1 to 40 metres. A charming behaviour worth knowing: juveniles often act as cleaner fish, picking parasites off other fish visiting their cave or ledge. The genus name "hogfish" comes from its habit of blowing jets of water into the sand to unearth buried prey, hog-like foraging that's fascinating to watch. Every Axilspot Hogfish we ship is feeding well.
This species can be shy at first, benefiting from a calm introduction and plenty of hiding places, though it settles in well over time. It's reef safe with caution; it won't bother corals, but mature adults can develop a taste for small ornamental shrimp and crustaceans introduced after it's established. It's also territorial toward similarly coloured or patterned fish, including other Bodianus species introduced separately. It reaches up to 20cm, so a 265L tank suits it well.
 
💡 Highlights
🎨 Dramatic Juvenile-to-Adult Transformation: From black-and-white polka dots to fuchsia and white
🧽 Juvenile Cleaner Behaviour: Young fish often pick parasites off other fish
🐷 Hog-Like Foraging: Blows water into sand to unearth prey, the source of its name
⚠️ Reef Safe With Caution: Mature adults may prey on small ornamental shrimp
🧠 Beginner Friendly: Hardy and easy to feed once settled