📖 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
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
🐟 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
🌍 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
📐 Morphometrics
Length–Weight Relationship:
W = 0.00871 × L3.07
(TL)
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 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
🎣 Angling Guide
Fight Rating
strong pulls with head-shakes
Best Seasons
spring,summer,fall
Best Time
incoming tide, dawn and dusk
Rod Type
medium-heavy spinning
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 |
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