Range: Porkfish inhabit
reefs and rocky bottoms in the Western Atlantic from Florida
south to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea
and the Bahamas. Recently it has been introduced to the
waters off of Bermuda.
Similar Species: The
only Grunt in the Caribbean with two vertical black bars and
yellow stripes. Sometimes confused with Snappers but Grunts
lack canine and vomerine teeth found in Snappers.
Identification: A.
virginicus is a deep-bodied grunt that has a higher dorsal
profile than most other grunts, and a mouth that is small
and positioned low on the head. Coloration consists of
yellow and silvery-blue stripes on the body and two black
bars. One black bar runs through the eye while the other
runs from the operculum to the origin of the first dorsal
fin. Juvenile Porkfish lack black bars and instead have a
large dark spot near the base of the caudal fin. The head is
a bright yellow and two black stripes run horizontally down
the midbody and back.
Note: Like all grunts,
Porkfish can produce grunt-like sounds by rubbing their
teeth together.
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