Hogfish

First three dorsal spines greatly elongated, black blotch near the end of the dorsal fin, deep compressed body, elongated adult snout, and extended upper and lower tail lobes.

Deep, strongly compressed wrasse with an elongated hog-like adult snout and elongated dorsal spines and tail lobes; juveniles are mottled.

2–8 lb.

About 3 ft and 24 lb.

Uses its long snout to feed on bottom-dwelling mollusks and crustaceans.

Roots in sediment for small prey and is not commonly caught on hook and line. The reviewed Florida profile documents a November-to-June breeding period with March-April peaks; that timing is not asserted for Puerto Rico.

Found in Puerto Rico. Start in the documented habitat and substrate for this species, then narrow the search using depth, current, structure and food activity. Habitat reference: Young settle in shallow inshore seagrass nurseries; maturing fish move toward deeper rocky bottoms, ledges and offshore reefs.

Young settle in shallow inshore seagrass nurseries; maturing fish move toward deeper rocky bottoms, ledges and offshore reefs.

Usually reef-, ledge-, wreck- or bottom-associated; exact depth changes by species, size and time of day.

Start tight to reef edges, ledges, drop-offs or marked structure and adjust to the depth where bait and fish are showing.

Water: marine.

Use current local reports and legal seasons; productive reef fishing is possible year-round when conditions and rules allow.

Dawn, dusk and periods of active current are strong starting windows; deeper reef fish may feed throughout daylight.

Moving water is a common trigger; fish up-current edges, points and drop-offs where bait is pushed toward structure.

Choose sea state, wind and visibility that let you hold position and handle the fish safely. Avoid treating rough weather as a feeding advantage.

Live shrimp and small crabs.

Rarely; small jigs tipped with shrimp.

Start with a medium-heavy rod, 30 lb braid, 40–50 lb leader and a 3/0–5/0 hook or medium jig; scale to depth, current and fish size.

About 2/0–7/0 is a common starting range for bait fishing, scaled to species and bait; circle hooks are a practical release-friendly choice where appropriate.

20–50 lb braid or mono is a common reef starting range; heavier structure and larger fish call for more abrasion margin.

30–80 lb abrasion-resistant mono/fluorocarbon is a common starting range; increase around sharp reef or very large fish.

Most hogfish are speared, but they can be caught on live shrimp fished right on the bottom over hard bottom and grass.

Let it go quickly if you're not keeping it.

Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting catches in the region.

Top-quality table fare: firm, white, mild meat.

Safety first: PUERTO RICO FOOD TOXIN EVIDENCE — FDA documented a 2024 Puerto Rico ciguatera investigation with Caribbean ciguatoxin confirmed in this species. Ciguatoxin cannot be detected by appearance, taste or smell and cooking does not destroy it. Ice it right away. Use a clean board and sharp knife; scale or skin only when appropriate, remove the viscera or fillet cleanly, trim damaged tissue/bloodline as desired, minimize warm-water exposure, and keep the edible portion cold. If the fish carries venomous spines, dangerous teeth or a toxin advisory, follow the safety warning before cleaning.

For routine cooked preparation, FDA seafood guidance uses 145°F (63°C) as the safe internal-temperature target for fish; flesh should be opaque and separate easily with a fork. Grilling, baking, broiling, steaming or pan-cooking can all work after the fish is positively identified, legally retained and cleared for applicable toxin/mercury advisories.

PUERTO RICO FOOD TOXIN EVIDENCE — FDA documented a 2024 Puerto Rico ciguatera investigation with Caribbean ciguatoxin confirmed in this species. Ciguatoxin cannot be detected by appearance, taste or smell and cooking does not destroy it.

No species-specific size, bag or season limits are listed here.

Avoid needless kills and follow protected-species, area and season rules.