Hogfish(Lachnolaimus maximus)

The hogfish is large with a laterally compressed body that is high and round. This is in contrast to other wrasses, which tend to be smaller and cigar-shaped. The caudal fin is slightly lunate and the first three dorsal fin spines are elongate and thickened, trailing behind the fin. The tips of the dorsal and anal fins are pointed. Coloration of the hogfish is variable, dependent upon age, sex and habitat. It is generally from pearl white to mottled in brownish-red with a black spot at the rear base of the soft dorsal fin. Males tend to be more intensely colored than females. Young individuals and females are primarily pale gray, brown or reddish brown with a paler underside. The iris is bright red in color. Males are gray-brown overall and dusky to dark from the snout through the forehead, up to the dorsal. Pectoral fins are yellow. Dark bars are located on the outer margins of the soft dorsal, anal and caudal fins.

This fish is commonly found over open bottoms and coral reefs at depths ranging from 10 to 100 feet. The hogfish is often encountered in areas where gorgonians are abundant. The hogfish is widely distributed alone the edges of a reef, forming small groups. It prefers locations with hard sand and rock bottoms near shallow patch reefs just inshore and offshore from the main reef structure. Larger individuals occur in the main reef area while smaller fish reside among the patch reefs.

It uses its elongate, pig-like snout and large protrusible mouth to root around the bottom substrate for prey. It is from this snout and rooting behavior that this fish gets its common name.

Females, upon reaching larger size and through social dominance, can transform into fully functional males. This often occurs at 3 years of age and lengths of approximately 14 inches.