Lachnolaimus maximus

(Walbaum, 1792)

Vernacular names
English : Hogfish
French : Labre capitaine

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Eupercaria i. s. (sometimes still Perciformes)
Family : Labridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a maximum length of 91 cm for a weight of 11 kg. Unmistakable. Adults are pearly white with black fins except for yellow pectoral fins and dark red forehead and snout. Snout greatly elongated, very long spines on fins.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Western Atlantic ocean from south Canada to Bermuda, Gulf of Mexico and south to north Brazil. Lives in open bottoms and coral reef areas with gorgonians, to 30 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a big range but has been decimated in many parts by spear fishing which is still uncontrolled despite legal protection.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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