Family: Achiridae
Distribution: Trinectes maculatus, commonly known as the Hogchoker, has its origins in the Western Atlantic, from Massachusetts and the northern Gulf o Mexico down to Venezuela, South America. This species is found in coastal and fresh waters, and can reach a depth of 75 metres.
PH: 6.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 5°C – 22C (41 – 72F)
Salinity: 1.005
Description: Trinectes maculatus can reach a length of 20 cm in an aquarium. This species is usually brown to dark brown in its colouration and is has a series of spots and stripes across its body. Its tail and fins are frayed at the sides for camouflage purposes. This species has both its eyes and mouth on the right side of its body. Its eyes are small and it has a white underside.
Diet: Trinectes maculatus will eat all foods that sink to the bottom of the tank. You should avoid feeding this species any vegetables; it is best to stick to live foods and, if you train it well enough, some sinking pellets.
Breeding: Hogchokers do not breed in aquariums. It is likely they spawn at sea or in estuaries, but there is little information available on their breeding habits as yet.
Comments: Trinectes maculatus should be housed in a tank that is at least 20 gallons in volume. This fish will spend a lot of its time attached to driftwood, rocks and the glass. It should not be kept in freshwater; keep the water slightly brackish at around the 1.005 mark. Make sure the substrate you use is soft and fine; a gravelly substrate can hurt this fish. Importantly, the Hogchoker needs a high oxygen concentration in its tank. This species requires a moderate level of care and is probably not suitable for beginners.
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Recommended Compatible Species: Trinectes maculatus should not be kept with small defenceless species because while they are not that predatory, they may just eat small tank mates. You can keep Hogchokers with top-dwellers such as hatchetfish, killifish and rainbowfish.
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