Orthopristis chrysoptera (Linnaeus, 1766)
Pigfish
Orthopristis chrysoptera
photo by Flescher, D.

 Family:  Haemulidae (Grunts), subfamily: Haemulinae
 Max. size:  46 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 900.0 g; max. reported age: 4 years
 Environment:  demersal; depth range - 10 m, oceanodromous
 Distribution:  Western Atlantic: New York, USA and Bermuda to Mexico.
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 12-13. Back elevated; snout long and tapering. Mouth a little oblique; maxillary reaching vertical from first nostril. Scales in oblique rows above lateral line and horizontal rows below lateral line, extending on base of caudal, pelvic and pectoral fins; also forming a low sheath on base of anal and dorsal fins.
 Biology:  Inhabits coastal waters, over sand and mud bottoms. Forms schools. Mainly nocturnal and non-burrowing. Feeds on crustaceans and smaller fishes. Undergoes seasonal migration as well as local nocturnal-diurnal foraging migrations (Ref. 25).
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Froese, Rainer - 17.10.90
 Modified by: Sampang-Reyes, Arlene G. - 25.09.00
 Checked by: Sa-a, Pascualita - 25.08.95

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