This small fish gets its name from the grunting noise it makes by grinding its teeth together like other grunts do. It has a tall, flat body, with yellow and blue-silver stripes and two black bars running downwards over its eyes and just behind its cheeks. Yellow also highlights its face and fins, including its deeply forked caudal (tail) fin. This nocturnal schooling fish can grow to 15 inches long but usually is found much smaller.
| Category | Fish |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Size | 15 Inches |
| Origin | Florida |
| Minimum Tank Size | 180 Gallons |
| Water Condition | 72-78F, dkh 8-12, PH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025 |
| Water Flow | Medium |
| Light | Medium |
| Reef Compatible | No |
| Compatibility | See Chart |
Tthe porkfish, is a species of grunt native to the western Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Brazil and the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. This nocturnal species inhabits areas of reef or with rocky substrates at depths of from 2 to 20 metres.
Several Porkfish, in a school, would be suitable if there is enough room in the aquarium. It prefers to hover around reefs and needs a cave or ledge for refuge. A 180 gallon or larger aquarium with abundant open space to swim is required. Porkfish has been known to occasionally pick parasites from the bodies of tank mates. Adults should be the first to be introduced into a community tank. They are not a good candidate for a reef aquarium, as they will readily consume any crabs, snails, shrimp and starfish.
The Porkfish diet consists of a variety of meaty foods such as chopped shrimp, marine fish flesh, prepared frozen food for carnivores, and vegetable matter.