Cape elephantfish (Callorhinchus capensis) fish species and information / pictures of Cape elephantfish - Callorhinchus capensis

Cape elephantfish (Callorhinchus capensis) fish species information

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Scientific Name
Callorhinchus capensis

Common Name
Cape elephantfish

Biology
Found from close inshore and shallow bays to the slope. Feeds on small fish and a wide variety of invertebrates. Sold commercially as 'silver trumpeter' and considered a delicacy in southern Africa. Oviparous. Produces egg-cases that are spindle shaped, with broad horizontal flanges. Minimum depth reported from Ref. 7403.

Classification

Classified By

Dum?ril, 1865

Class

Chimaeras (Holocephali)

Order

Chimaeras (Chimaeriformes)

Family

Plownose chimaeras (Callorhinchidae)

Distribution

Region

Southeast Atlantic

Distribution

Southeast Atlantic: Namibia to the Cape and Natal in South Africa.

Range

16°S - 35°S

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

10 m

Depth To - meters

374 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range 10 - 374 m , usually 10 - 200 m

Trophic Level

3.45 s.e. 0.52 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

122 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (60 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be

Threat To Humans

Traumatogenic (Ref. 12484)

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)