Requirements of hogfish (lachnolaimus maximus) picture included

[sam11909]

I have a hogfish wrasse, but I have no idea how to take care of him or if my tank will be adequite for him. here's a picture so you know what I'm talking about.

If anyone has experience with this fish, please comment. I can't find much info on the internet.http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:MnnY3t5Ez-r6CM:http://www.thatpetplace.com/images/thumb/217013.jpg

what can I feed him, are they partially reef safe, and are they very agressive?

[small alien]

Since I don't know anything about your fish either, I'll ask how you ended up with a fish you know nothing about. 12 years freshwater should have told you that's a bit backwards. I hope you figure out how to care for it before it dies.

[sam11909]

I cuaght it at the beach and saw it in someones fish fish tank, so I was thinking about keeping it or selling it to someone who new how to take care of it. He's a perfect size (4 in) for a medium fish tank. Beutiful fish, wish I could keep him.:(

[sam11909]

I always research before I buy.

[baldomero]

nice fish i dont know if hes reef safe but i had caught a spanish hog here in puerto rico and i think they are closely related i had em in my fowlr the only problem with these fish is they will eat your shrimp snails and hermits

[spw4949]

I don't think corals will be a problem but like baldomero said, most hogs will eat shrimp,snails,and crabs......

[jflick345]

One big problem is that hogfish can top out at 1-3ft in length. I've personally seen a bunch of the them 12in or more in the Keys and Bahamas. I'm not sure how aggressive they are in an aquarium but I can tell you that they've got some nasty teeth on them for crushing shells. My best recommendation would be to just set it free.

[PDAlber]

Hogfish are quite common here in South Florida. I don't know if you caught it here, but they have a minimum legal size limit of 12 inches (measured to the fork of the tail). They grow to upwards of 20 pounds and are a favorite target of spear fishermen. I'm sure it will do quite well in your tank, but will likely eat all of your shrimp, crabs and hermits. It will readily eat brine, mysis, and a variety of other foods.

[jbird69]

In general, Hogfish grow way too big to be suitable for home aquarium.

[sam11909]

I am going to ask my lfs if he wants him, and if not I'll take him back to the beach.

[sam11909]

Thanks everyone!

[Juruense]

Pet stores cannot accept wild caught animals from customers, do not bother asking them.

[sam11909]

Why won't they? They get most of their fish from the ocean don't they. I'm not asking this in a bad way, I just want to know.

[sam11909]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/220835hogfish.jpg

[jflick345]

Because if you have a fish in your possession that's a local species and under the size limit that's technically poaching. I'm not sure of Florida law but I'm willing to bet that no lfs down there carries hogfish for that reason.

[sam11909]

Thanks, I would let him go but I live a hour from the nearest beach. I guess I'll try to keep him alive until my next beach trip. does anyone know what to feed him in the meantime, I tried krill.

[jflick345]

In the wild they eat crabs, shrimp, mollusks, and snails

[jflick345]

They are pretty nice looking fish. I can see why you'd want one. It's a bummer that they get so big.