Cape elephantfish (Callorhinchus capensis)

Scientific name: Callorhinchus capensis Dum?ril, 1865

Cape elephantfish (Callorhinchus capensis)
Photo: http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/chondrichthyes/holocephalii/callorhinchus_capensis.htm

The Cape elephantfish (Callorhinchus capensis) is a marine fish of the family Callorhinchidae. Native range: Southeast Atlantic, Namibia to the Cape and Natal in South Africa.

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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Callorhinchus capensis
Family
Callorhinchidae (Plownose chimaeras)
Order
Chimaeriformes (Chimaeras)
Class
Holocephali (Chimaeras)
Maximum length
122
Depth range
10–374 m (33–1227 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 10 - 374 m, usually 10 - 200 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Southeast Atlantic: Namibia to the Cape and Natal in South Africa.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated