The porkfish

porkfish

Scientific name	Anisotremus virginicus
Descriptor	Linnaeus
Year of description	1758
IUCN category (World)	LC
Family	Haemulidae
Genus	Anisotremus

Introduction

Anisotremus virginicus, commonly known as porkfish, is a salt water fish.

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Who is it?

Morphology

Average size

25 cm
Maximum size

40 cm
Pattern

horizontal stripes

Average size

25 cm
Maximum size

40 cm
Pattern

horizontal stripes

How to recognize the porkfish ?

The porkfish measures between 25 and 40 cm. This fish is tricolore with a predominantly argent, noir and or body. The also has jaune horizontal stripes.

Behaviour & Life cycle

diet

omnivorous with carnivorous tendency
Sociability

living in a group or alone
territorial

Yes
Way of living

nocturnal

Animal that "talks"

This species is known to emit sounds easily audible by humans.

The porkfish is a fish living in a group or alone. This species is omnivorous with carnivorous tendency . This fish lives mainly at night. Usually, it leaves its hiding place and starts to be active once it gets dark.

The porkfish is a territorial animal that does not tolerate any incursions into its living area. It is particularly virulent against other territorial species and it can provoke heated fights.

Reproduction

Reproduction

ovipare qui pond en eau libre

The porkfish is a fish ovipare qui pond en eau libre.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Origin

Gulf of Mexico Caribbean Sea Atlantic Ocean: North Coast of Brazil Northwest warm temperate Atlantic Ocean Southwest warm temperate Atlantic Ocean Southwest Tropical Atlantic Ocean

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : LC

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

Depth

2 - 20 m

Biotope presentation

The porkfish is most often found at a depth between 2m and 20m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

Species of the same biotope

Fishkeeping

Not recommended

We do not recommend keeping this species in an aquarium. It has unpredictable needs which, if not met, generate significant stress, potentially leading to a shorter life expectancy, an interruption of its growth or the development of pathogens.

To go further

Species of the same family

Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides Haemulidae

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Benoit Chartrer

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.