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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🌡️ Subtropical

Cape fathead

Cubiceps capensis Smith, 1845
Max Length
101 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.5
Depth
0–140 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
51.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
pelagic

📖 Overview

Oceanic, epipelagic or mesopelagic in tropical waters. Feeds mainly on salps . Occurs near the surface at night but depth at daytime is not known. Excellent food fish.

Scientific Name
Cubiceps capensis
Authority
Smith, 1845
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
101 cm
Depth Range
0–140 m
Latitude
35°S – 40°N
Trophic Level
3.5
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
51.00/100
Migration
Oceanodromous
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 23; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 20 - 21; Vertebrae: 31. Dark brown to deep purple, fins dark . Preorbital snout naked or with a few predorsal scales distinctly smaller than those between eyes (Ref 9834).: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Cape fathead is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 140 m . Subtropical; 40°N - 35°S

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🐟 Pelagic
Migration
Oceanodromous
Trophic Level
3.5
Food Items

salps (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00955 × L3.09 (TL)
Max TL
101cm
Dorsal Spines
12
Dorsal Rays
22
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
21
Vertebrae
31

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2013

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
51.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.5
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Latitude Range
40°N – 35°S
Described By
Smith, 1845

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