Fin's Fish Guide
The Hogchoker (Trinectes maculatus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Achiridae that grows up to 20 cm.
Western Atlantic from the USA to South America, in estuaries, lagoons and the lower reaches of rivers; strongly euryhaline.
Description
The hogchoker is a small, right-eyed sole of the family Achiridae (American soles) reaching about 20 cm. The round, brown body has a rough skin, dark cross-bars and lacks pectoral fins; both eyes lie on the right side. The species is extraordinarily salt-tolerant and lives in estuaries, lagoons and the lower reaches of rivers along the western Atlantic coast from the USA to South America; it runs far into fresh water. On the muddy bottom it searches, mainly at night, for worms, small crustaceans, insect larvae and detritus. The name 'hogchoker' refers to its rough skin, on which pigs were said to choke. Because of its small size it has little fishery value.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Hogchoker?
The Hogchoker has a flatfish-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Small, right-eyed sole with rough skin, dark vertical bars and no pectoral fins; tolerates fresh to salt water and travels far up rivers.
Where does the Hogchoker live?
The Hogchoker lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic from the USA to South America, in estuaries, lagoons and the lower reaches of rivers; strongly euryhaline.
How big does the Hogchoker get?
The Hogchoker grows to a maximum of about 20 cm. On average the species is around 11 cm.
Is the Hogchoker dangerous to humans?
No, the Hogchoker is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Hogchoker edible?
The Hogchoker is rarely eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Trinectes
More from the family Achiridae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Hogchoker is one of 12,519 species in the app.