Hogchoker - Trinectes maculatus

Species Name: Trinectes maculatus

Synonyms: Pleuronectes maculatus, Trinectes maculatus, Trinectes fasciatus, Pleuronectes mollis, Trinectes scabra

Common Names: Hogchoker

Family: Achiridae (American soles)

Order: Pleuronectiformes (Flatfishes)

Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)

Max. Size: 20.0 cm / 7.9 inches

Environment: Marine reef

Origin: Northwest and Western Central Atlantic

Temperament: Harmless

Company: Trinectes maculatus (Hogchoker) can be kept with most non-aggressive fish species. May eat small fishes if they are very slow.

Aquarium Setup: Trinectes maculatus (Hogchoker) is sometimes called freshwater flounder, and can survive in freshwater, brackish waters and marine waters. It will however do best with some salt in the water (spg 1.005-1.010), especially older individuals. Put a substrate made out of fine-grained sand in the aquarium to allow The Hogchoker to burrow. Don’t use a larger grained substrate, since it can injure the fish.

Food: Trinectes maculatus (Hogchoker) eats all sorts of predatory food that sinks down to the bottom. If you train your fish it will probably accept sinking pellets after a while. Vegetables should not be included in the diet. Hogchokers may eat small fishes if they are very slow.

Breeding: Trinectes maculatus (Hogchoker) do not breed in aquariums. Spawning is probably connected to migration into freshwater.