Gorgeous swallowtail (Meganthias natalensis)

Scientific name: Meganthias natalensis Fowler, 1925

The Gorgeous swallowtail (Meganthias natalensis) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae. Native range: Western Indian Ocean, known only from East London, South Africa to Madagascar and Reunion. Probably in Mozambique.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17-19; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Meganthias natalensis
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 37.4
Depth range: 88–183 m (289–600 ft)
Environment: Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 88 - 183 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Indian Ocean: known only from East London, South Africa to Madagascar and Reunion. Probably in Mozambique.
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.

Last updated 27 September 2026