Porkfish General Description

The name porkfish is usually used to describe a particular species of grunt that can be found in the tropical regions of the world. The porkfish belongs to the genus Anisotremus in the family Haemulidae which contains roughly 133 species. Porkfish are a medium- to large-sized fish that can grow up to 16 inches in length, though most do not exceed 10 inches at maturity. These fish prefer to be kept in very large schools with others of their own kind, though they can be peaceful with other fish of similar size.

The name porkfish is usually used to describe a particular species of grunt that can be found in the tropical regions of the world.

Origins

The species most commonly known as the porkfish can be found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic Ocean ranging from Florida to Brazil and throughout the Caribbean Sea into the Gulf of Mexico.

Color

The coloration of porkfishes varies, but the main species of this type exhibits a bright yellow coloration with bright blue horizontal striping and vertical black bars through the eye and the pectoral fin.

Maintenance and Care

Because these fish prefer to be kept in large groups, you will need a very large tank. Porkfishes tend to inhabit coral and rocky reefs, so the tank should be sparsely decorated with live rock and hardy corals. These fish prefer tropical to subtropical temperatures between 72°F and 78°F with a slightly alkaline pH range between 8.1 and 8.4 is ideal with moderate hardness between 8 and 12 dKH.

Because these fish prefer to be kept in large groups, you will need a very large tank.

Feeding

Porkfishes are carnivorous bottom feeders to some degree and they feed primarily on small crustaceans, worms, shrimp, and other small invertebrates. These fish may accept a variety of fresh and frozen meaty foods in the home aquarium – they may also eat some vegetable matter.

Also read:

Setting a Schedule for Routine Tank Maintenance

Breeding Info

There is little information available regarding the breeding habits of porkfishes because they have not been successfully bred in captivity with any regularity.

Aquarium Varieties

The species most commonly known as the porkfish is Anisotremus virginicus. Other species belonging to this genus which are sometimes called porkfish include the following:

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