PIGFISH

Orthopristis chrysoptera

English: Pigfish, Piggy, Piggy Perch, Grunt.
Spanish: Corocoro burro.

Pigfish are characterized by irregular barring on the cheeks, a mottled appearance, or indistinct, irregular vertical bars. Often mistaken for pinfish, its dorsal spines are smaller, the eye is smaller and the distance from eye to mouth is greater.

Pigfish are abundant and rarely reach more than 8 inches in length. Texas record is 1.04 pounds, 12.5 inches, 1998.

Pigfish will take small live bait or cut bait, especially along the slopes of channels using cut bait on bottom rigs.

Although the flesh is edible, most pigfish are used as excellent live bait for larger fish such as sea trout.

The name pigfish was probably derived from the chattering noises they make when caught. Like other members of the grunt family, a pigfish makes a grunting sound by rubbing the teeth in their throat together. By night, pigfish use their throat teeth to grind up shellfish and small bits of other food.

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