Rooster Hogfish

Rooster Hogfish

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lachnolaimus maximus

Overview
Reef Compatible: No
Diet: Carnivor
Temperament: Aggressive
Origin: East Americas

The hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus), also known as boquinete, doncella de pluma, or pez perro in Mexico, is a captivating species of wrasse native to the Western Atlantic Ocean. It inhabits a range from Nova Scotia, Canada, to northern South America, including the Gulf of Mexico. Here are some key details about this remarkable fish:

• Appearance: The hogfish possesses a very elongated snout, which it uses to search for crustaceans buried in the sediment. This “pig-like” snout and its rooting behavior give the hogfish its name. Males can be distinguished by a deep, dark band spanning from the snout to the first dorsal spine, as well as a lateral black spot behind the pectoral fins.
• Size: Hogfish reach a maximum length of 91 cm (36 inches) and weigh about 11 kg (24 pounds). Females and juveniles typically start out as pale gray, brown, or reddish-brown in color.
• Habitat: This species occurs around reefs, especially preferring areas with plentiful gorgonians.
• Diet: Hogfish are carnivores, feeding on mollusks, crabs, and sea urchins.
• Camouflage: They also have a form of active camouflage to blend in against coral or sand.
• Lifecycle: Like many wrasses, hogfish are sequential hermaphrodites. They start out as females and then mature to become males, usually around three years of age and about 14 inches in length.
• Spawning: Spawning occurs from November through June in South Florida, where hogfish social groups organize into harems with one male protecting a group of females in his territory.