Porkfish (Anisotremus virginicus) (Linnaeus, 1758)

 

Synonyms:Sparus virginicus, Sparus jub, Grammistes mauritii, Perca juba, Pristipoma rodo

 

 

Anisotremus virginicus occurs in the western Atlantic Ocean from Florida to southern Brazil, e.g., in the Bahamas, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea; probably introduced in Bermuda. It inhabits coral and artificial reefs and inshore waters at depths 1-40 m. The juveniles are associated with sea grass beds. Head is short and blunt with two black diagonal bands; alternating yellow and silver lateral stripes, yellow fins; length 25-40 cm; weight up to 930 g. The juvenile lacks the diagonal bars, but has two black lateral stripes and a spot at the base of caudal fin. A. virginicus feeds on benthic invertebrates including mollusks, crustaceans, and worms. It may form large schools, e.g., with other grunts; often seen alongside Schoolmaster Snappers (Lutjanus apodus).

 

		D27867 Porkfish (Anisotremus virginicus) Roatán, Islas de la Bahía Honduras Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D27708 Porkfish (Anisotremus virginicus) Roatán, Islas de la Bahía Honduras Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D27851 Porkfish (Anisotremus virginicus) Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus) French Angelfish (Pomacanthus paru) Roatán, Islas de la Bahía Honduras Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
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