Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: South Carolina to Bermuda, Honduras, and northern South America

Size: Up to 12 in (30 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabit heavy coral growths on outer reef areas at depths to 100 feet (30 m)

General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 72 - 80°F (22 - 27°C) and has a natural diet of benthic invertebrate. Requires a meaty diet, including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, black worms and other meaty type frozen foods with two or three feedings per day. Needs numerous hiding places and provides a cleaning service. Since they mostly feed upon benthic invertebrates they can pose a danger in some reef tanks. Sometimes bury themselves if frightened. Usually, they sleep under rock shelves, on or under a coral branch, in a crevice, or directly on the sand surface, however, providing a deep sandbed of about 4 inches (10 cm) of fine-grained sand would be a good idea. One of the better Hogfish.

Aquarium Suitability: * & * *