Hogfish

Hogfish have a fascinating life history; they are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning that individuals first function sexually as females and then later, upon reaching a larger size, transform into males (4). This change generally occurs at around three years of age and a length of about 35 centimetres (4). Hogfish form harems; groups of females dominated by a larger male. The male and the females simultaneously release gametes into the surrounding water where fertilization occurs. The fertilized eggs develop quickly into larvae, a stage which lasts several weeks until they grow into juveniles. Off the coast of Florida, this spawning event occurs during February and March (4). Hogfish forage during the day, feeding primarily on gastropods and bivalve molluscs, but also on crabs, sea urchins, and barnacles (2). It can use its long snout and protractible mouth to root in the sand for its favoured prey (3). Hogfish may live for up to 11 years (4).

An assessment of the Florida stock led to the recommendation that the minimum size limit of hogfish that are captured in fisheries should be raised (5), which would reduce the pressure on the Florida stock. There have also been successful attempts at raising hogfish in captivity, and it is hoped that aquaculture will eventually reduce the fishing pressure on natural stocks of this intriguing fish (4).

The hogfish gets its unusual name from its long, pig-like snout and protrusible mouth which it uses to root around the sea bottom for food (3) (4). The hogfish belongs to the second largest family of marine fishes, the wrasses, but instead of a cigar-shaped body like most wrasses, the hogfish is laterally compressed and round (2) (4). The colour of the hogfish is highly variable, and depends on age, sex and habitat (4). Generally they are pearly white and mottled with reddish-brown (4). Small hogfish may be uniformly grey, whilst large hogfish can be mostly salmon pink, with a dark maroon bar on top of the snout (2). Most individuals possess a prominent round, black blotch below the dorsal fin, yellowish pectoral fins and bright red eyes (2).

The hogfish inhabits inshore patch reefs and seaward reefs, at depths of 3 to 30 meters. It prefers areas with abundant growth of gorgonian corals (3).

Occurs in the western Atlantic, from North Carolina and Bermuda, south to the Gulf of Mexico and the northern coast of South America (2).

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1).

Hogfish are sought after by humans (2), due to their apparently unique taste and flavour (5). Unfortunately, this has led to fishing pressure that has reduced many populations to critically low levels (5), and the hogfish is now vulnerable to extinction (1). In Florida, where the fish is economically important to both commercial and recreational fisheries, there are indications that the hogfish stock has been overfished for more than a decade (5). Juvenile hogfish are also sometimes captured for the aquarium trade (2).

Analogues: In most features this larval type resembles larval Doratonotus megalepis, but is distinguished by a slightly different fin-ray count and, most conspicuously, by having extensive melanophore patterns on the body. The arrangement of melanophores on the head resembles that of transitional D. megalepis and they share the markings on the first dorsal-fin spines and pelvic fins, but even late transitional D. megalepis do not have the reticulated patterns on the body.

Diagnosis: The fin-ray count of D-XIV,11 A-III,10 indicates Lachnolaimus maximus. I have not collected this species, but Colin (1982) raised the larvae through their larval phase. The larvae resemble Doratonotus megalepis in basic form, but develop surface melanophores early in development, around the time the fin rays are fully formed (about 5 mm SL). This feature is particularly unusual for labrids (or other labroids) and it is likely that this species is the sole member of the family to have body pigmentation (none of the Indo-Pacific labroid larvae identified by Leis and Carson-Ewart (2000) have this character). The adaptation suggests that larval L. maximus are associated with drift algae and not exposed in the plankton.

Description: Body relatively thin, short and wide with a large eye and a terminal, small mouth. Pectoral and pelvic fins short. Dorsal and anal-fin bases relatively long, caudal peduncle short and wide. By the time the fin-ray complement has formed, around 5.5 mm SL, melanophores are scattered over the body and in three discrete patches along the anal-fin base. Subsequently, melanophores develop in bars radiating from the eye: forward across the jaw, a vertical below the eye, and in bands across the top of the head. A reticulated pattern of melanophores then develops over the body. Since the larvae were raised in captivity, the point of transition cannot be determined. Series of larvae shows the eye remains round.

Deep-bodied wrasse with a strongly arched dorsal profile. First 3 dorsal spines filamentous. Only wrasse with elongate dorsal spines and such a highly arched profile (Ref. 26938). Color variable but generally mottled brownish red with a black spot at rear base of dorsal fin (Ref. 13442).

Found over open bottoms or coral reef areas (Ref. 5217). Often encountered where gorgonians are abundant (Ref. 13442). Feeds mainly on mollusks, also crabs and sea urchins (Ref. 3726). Mobile invertebrate feeder (Ref. 57616).

Dorsal spines (total): 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 10

Monandric (no primary males) , protogynous hermaphrodites. Sex change is postmaturation; it is initiated among individuals 30-40 cm LF (or 3-5 yrs) but was also observed in fish as large as 69.4 cm LF (13 yrs). Sex change occurred after one more spawning (as a female) seasons and requires several months to complete (Ref.74380). Harem spawner (Ref.74381). Spawning activity is characterised by the following event called 'spawning rush': 1) pectoral swim up, 2) tail swim, 3) swin alongsode and tilt, 4) release, 5) circle and display, and 6) swim down (Ref. 74381).

A large and economically valuable species, monandric and a protogynous hermaphrodite (Ref. 93709). Adults are found over open bottoms or coral reef areas (Ref. 5217). Often encountered where gorgonians are abundant (Ref. 13442). Feed mainly on mollusks, also crabs and sea urchins (Ref. 3726). Flesh highly esteemed; marketed fresh and frozen (Ref. 3726). Have been reared in captivity (Ref. 35420).

fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial; price category: very high; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family

The hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus), also known as boquinete, doncella de pluma or pez perro in Mexico is a species of wrasse native to the Western Atlantic Ocean, living in a range from Nova Scotia, Canada, to northern South America, including the Gulf of Mexico. This species occurs around reefs, especially preferring areas with plentiful gorgonians. It is a carnivore which feeds on molluscs, as well as crabs and sea urchins. This species is currently the only known member of its genus.

Western Atlantic: from Nova Scotia (Canada), Bermuda, and northern Gulf of Mexico to northern South America.

benthic