The Atlantic Porkfish, usually just called the Porkfish, is native to the western Atlantic from Florida to
northern Brazil, including the Caribbean.
It is a type of grunt. Grunts are named after a grunting sound they make by grinding their teeth when distressed.
Like many grunts, the Porkfish has white and yellow lateral lines but also is deeper-bodied and has two
vertical black bars, one through the eye and one behind the head. Rarely they can reach up to 15 inches (38cm) long.
Its closest relative is the Burrito Grunt (Pacific Porkfish).
The juvenile looks quite different. It is yellow with 2 lateral black lines and a black spot on the tail.
They are often cleaner fish, eating parasites from larger fish. Above left is a subadult in transition to adulthood.
It often swims in large schools, usually nocturnally, with its own species or with other grunts.
Diet is crustaceans and molluscs.