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🌊 Marine Endangered 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Subtropical

Squaretail kob

Argyrosomus thorpei Smith, 1977
Max Length
71 cm
Max Weight
12.0 kg
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4.1
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
45.00/100
Typical Length
40 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Found in coastal waters. Juveniles are found on sand or mud substrate and the adults predominantly on reef . Spawns in the winter . An important food fish. Sold fresh in markets.

Scientific Name
Argyrosomus thorpei
Authority
Smith, 1977
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
EN
Max Length
71 cm
Max Weight
12 kg
Trophic Level
4.1
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
45.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26 - 28; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 6 - 7. Body silvery, fins orange-brown or yellowish .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Squaretail kob is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

small fish
crustaceans
cephalopods

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
33cm TL

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal. Subtropical; 24°S - 36°S, 25°E - 35°E South Africa; also from the west coast of Madagascar.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
4.1±0.7

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00871 × L3.07 (TL)
Max TL
71cm
Max Weight
12,000g
Dorsal Spines
11
Dorsal Rays
27
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
7

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Endangered
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
45.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.1
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Smith, 1977

🎣 Angling Guide

Difficulty
Beginner
Fight Rating
strong pulls with head-shakes
Best Seasons
spring,summer,fall
Best Time
incoming tide, dawn and dusk
Line Weight
15-30
Rod Type
medium-heavy spinning
Hook Size
2/0-5/0
Catch & Release
✓ Recommended
Best Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Techniques
bottom fishing popping cork soft plastics live bait
Bait & Lures
live shrimp cut mullet soft plastic paddle-tails popping corks
Recommended Tackle
  • medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
  • 30-50 lb braid
  • fluorocarbon leader
Where to Find Them
  • grass flats
  • oyster bars
  • marsh drains
  • deeper channel edges
Tips & Tricks
Popping cork technique attracts fish from distance. Fish moving tides.
Catch & Release Tips

Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.

Regulations Summary

⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Argyrosomus Thorpei is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Squaretail kob is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Squaretail kob has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (lean white fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy90 kcal
Moisture80 %
Protein18 %
Total Fat1.2 %
Ash1.2 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat0.3 g
Monounsaturated Fat0.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat0.4 g
Omega-3 Total0.3 g
EPA0.08 g
DHA0.15 g
Omega-6 Total0.05 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium18 mg
Iron0.4 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus200 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium60 mg
Zinc0.4 mg
Selenium30 µg
Vitamin B60.3 mg
Vitamin B121 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

👥 Community & Contribute

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