Cape elephantfish
📖 Overview
Found from close inshore and shallow bays to the slope . Feeds on small fish and a wide variety of invertebrates . Oviparous . Produces egg-cases that are spindle shaped, with broad horizontal flanges . This species is known to host on its gills monogenean parasites Callorhynchocotyle callorhynchi (Manter, 1955) (Hexabothriidae) and Callorhynchicola multitesticulatus Manter, 1955 (Chimaericolidae) on its gills . Sold commercially as 'silver trumpeter' and considered a delicacy in southern Africa . Minimum depth reported from Ref. 7403.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 1. An elephant fish with a hoe-like snout and arched caudal fin . Silvery or bronzy with brown markings on flanks and head; fin webs brown .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Cape elephantfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 10 - 374 m , usually 10 - 200 m . Subtropical; 17°S - 35°S, 11°E - 34°E Southeast Atlantic: Namibia to the Cape and Natal in South Africa (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
small fish and a wide variety of invertebrates (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- immediate intense pain
- swelling
- erythema
- occasional nausea and weakness
Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callorhynchus capensis | Duméril | 1865 | Synonym |
| Callorynchus capensis | Duméril | 1865 | Synonym |
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 14 records indexed .
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