Hogchoker
Trinectes maculatus
- Least concern
- Card rarity: Common
- Fish
The hogchoker is a small species of flatfish found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North and South America, ranging from Massachusetts to Venezuela. They prefer brackish water, and the nominate subspecies is abundant in many bays and estuaries north of the Carolinas. It is a member of the American sole family Achiridae. They are usually brown to dark brown in color, and lighter on their "blind side". The overall body color is often broken by a series of spots and thin stripes, which can be lighter or darker than the main body color. The fins and tail have fringed edges helping hide the fish from its prey. They mainly feed on small aquatic insects and invertebrates.
Classification
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Carangiformes
- Family
- Achiridae
- Genus
- Trinectes