The porkfish (Anisotremus virginicus) is a colorful member of the grunt family, recognized by its bright yellow body and distinctive black stripes, commonly found in the western Atlantic Ocean, especially around coral reefs from Florida and the Bahamas down to Brazil. While porkfish are not a major target of large-scale commercial fisheries due to their relatively small size and local abundance, they are occasionally caught in artisanal and subsistence fisheries, particularly in the Caribbean and along the coasts of Mexico, Cuba, and other Central American countries. These nations harvest porkfish primarily for local consumption and the aquarium trade rather than for export as a food fish. In the United States, porkfish are more commonly associated with recreational fishing and are valued for their vibrant appearance in public and private aquariums. Overall, the porkfish fishing industry is modest and regionally focused, with the top harvesting countries being those bordering the Caribbean Sea and the western Atlantic's tropical and subtropical waters.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States of America | 1 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.