Cape fathead (Cubiceps capensis)

Scientific name: Cubiceps capensis Smith, 1845

Cape fathead (Cubiceps capensis)

The Cape fathead (Cubiceps capensis) is a marine fish of the family Nomeidae. Native range: Probably circumglobal in tropical and temperate seas. Reported from the Mediterranean.

Biology

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).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Cubiceps capensis
Family
Nomeidae (Driftfishes)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
101
Depth range
0–140 m (0–459 ft)
Environment
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous; depth range 0 - 140 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Probably circumglobal in tropical and temperate seas. Reported from the Mediterranean.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

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

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