The porkfish is a medium-sized fish, typically around 8 inches long with a maximum length of about 16 inches. It has an oblong body with a bulging head. The porkfish is characterized by two broad vertical black bands on its head: the first runs across its eye like a stripe while the second is located near the gill cover.

The two black vertical bands separate a region of uniform silver-gray color, with no distinct patterns, while the front of its head is yellow, and the back of its body is covered with horizontal yellow stripes.

All of the porkfish's fins - pelvic, dorsal, anal and caudal - are yellow and like other porkfish species, it shares the distinctive trait of having a red-colored mouth interior.

The porkfish is found in the tropical waters of the western Atlantic ocean, from southern Florida in the north to the coasts of Brazil in the south, including the coasts of Central America and the Caribbean islands, such as the Florida Keys, the Bahamas and Guadeloupe.

Porkfish usually live in shallow waters, from the surface down to about 65 feet deep. They often gather in schools near coral reefs, staying close to the seabed under rocky overhangs or reef structures. Porkfish also mix with other species of porkfish in these areas.

The porkfish is a carnivorous fish that hunts at night, feeding on small invertebrates such as shrimp, mollusks and marine worms.

In the marine food chain, the porkfish, in turn, becomes prey for larger fish that inhabit coral reefs.

The porkfish reproduces sexually.

Like other porkfish species, it produces sounds using its throat teeth which are particularly well-developed.

The porkfish is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The porkfish appears in the IUCN Red List since 2015 within the category Least Concern !