Cape gurnard
📖 Overview
Found over sandy and muddy bottoms in coastal areas. Feeds on fishes and crustaceans . Excellent food fish .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8 - 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 16. : fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Cape gurnard is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Cape gurnard is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 10 - 390 m . Subtropical; 18°S - 36°S, 12°E - 36°E Southeast Atlantic and Western Indian Ocean: Cape Fria, Namibia to Maputo, Mozambique.
🌿 Ecology
fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Cape gurnard is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 547 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Cape gurnard has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Cape gurnard · Gurnard |
| 🌍CES | štítník kapský |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Kap-knurhane |
| 🇫🇷French | Grondin du Cap |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Falso-voador-do-cabo |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Капская тригла-ласточка |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Rubio del cabo |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelidonyctis capensis | Cuvier | 1829 | Synonym |
| Trigla capensis | Cuvier | 1829 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 15 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Cape gurnard ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.