Scalyjaw koester (Acanthistius joanae)

Scientific name: Acanthistius joanae Heemstra, 2010

Scalyjaw koester (Acanthistius joanae)

The Scalyjaw koester (Acanthistius joanae) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae. Native range: Western Indian Ocean, South Africa.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7; Vertebrae: 26. This species is characterized by the following: distinct ctenoid scales cover the interorbital, maxilla, infraorbitals, interopercle, dorsal 4 branchiostegal rays, gular area, isthmus, chest, belly and proximal two-thirds of pectoral fin; interorbital area is slightly convex; longest dorsal fin spine equal to or longer than peduncle depth; Caudal, anal, and pelvic fins are pale (fin rays mostly reddish orange in life); a large oval, blackish brown blotch (most prominent dark mark on the head) covers most of the opercle; 17-19 pectoral-fin rays.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Acanthistius joanae
Family
Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
14.0
Depth range
23–140 m (75–459 ft)
Environment
Marine; pelagic-neritic; depth range 23 - 140 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Western Indian Ocean: South Africa.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless

Sources

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

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