Between our Baltimore and Washington, DC, venues, more than 17,500 animals representing 900 species call the National Aquarium home. There are constant changes, additions, and more going on behind the scenes that our guests may not notice during their visit. We want to share these fun updates with our community so we’re bringing them to you in our weekly Animal Update posts!
Check our blog every Friday to find out what’s going on… here’s what’s new this week!
Juvenile hogfish in the Atlantic Coral Reef exhibit!
This large and colorful fish is native to the Western Atlantic coral reef systems from as far north as Nova Scotia in Canada, to Bermuda, the Gulf of Mexico, and northern South America. The hogfish gets its name from its very long “pig-like” snout that it uses to root through the sandy bottoms of shallow ocean areas in search of mollusks, crabs, and sea urchins.
This is one of the juvenile hogfish now on exhibit in our Atlantic Coral Reef!
The hogfish is a bright red-orange, and can grow up to 3 feet long. It typically forms social groups consisting of one male that will mate with and protect several females in its territory.
An adult hogfish
Unfortunately, this unique species is listed as Vulnerable due to significant population declines caused by spearfishing practices, especially in the Caribbean.
Be sure to check back every Friday to find out what’s happening!
Filed under: Animal Update, Aquatic Life, Exhibits, National Aquarium, News Tagged: Animal update, atlantic coral reef, Caribbean, coral reef, hogfish, national aquarium, national aquarium in baltimore, south america, tropical fish
