Hogchoker 331 



Size: Reaches a length of about 8 inches. 



General Information: Little is known about this species. 

 Economic Importance: None. 



Hogchoker 

 Trinectes maculatus ( Bloch and Schneider J 



Color: Eyed side: gray-green to dark brown: a varying 

 number of dark bars, usually 7-8, extend from the dorsal 

 to the anal fin: a dark longitudinal stripe along the lateral 

 line. Blind side: dirty white, usually with dark spots varia- 

 ble in size and number. 



Distribution: Occurs from Massachusetts Bay to Panama. 

 It is common from Cape Cod to \'irginia but is most 

 abundant from Virginia south. 

 Size: Reaches a length of about 8 inches. 

 General Information: The Hogchoker is a bottom species 

 commonly found in the shallow, brackish waters of bays 

 and estuaries. It spawns in late spring and summer. A SVi- 

 inch fish has been estimated as producing 54.000 eggs 

 at one spawning. Fish 2-3 inches long are one year old. 

 The chief foods of the Hogchoker are worms and small 

 crustaceans. 



Economic Importance: None. An interesting species readily 

 adaptable to the brackish-water home aquarium. 



