Porkfish

Description:

Porkfish is a deep-bodied fish with a blunt snout, thick lips and a small mouth positioned low on the head. Body is bright yellow-gold with two conspicuous black bars on the head and front part of the body. There are alternating blue and yellow stripes on the upper part of the body and whitish with yellow stripes below. The fins are yellow. Adults can grow to 14 inches (36 cm) in length and weigh 2 lbs. (900 gm). Young porkfish do not have black bars, but do have a large dark spot near the base of the caudal fin.

Habitat:

Hunting Cay, Belize

Notes:

Found in shallow inshore waters over reefs and rocky bottoms at depths from 6 to 65 feet (2 - 20 m). Additional Information Porkfish is a member of the grunt family (Haemulidae), which is characterized by the ability to make grunting sounds using its pharyngeal teeth and swim bladder.