White steenbras (Lithognathus lithognathus)

Scientific name: Lithognathus lithognathus Cuvier, 1829

White steenbras (Lithognathus lithognathus)

The White steenbras (Lithognathus lithognathus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sparidae. Native range: Southeast Atlantic, known only from the Orange River mouth to Natal, South Africa.

Biology

Found over sandy substrate, in estuaries and oceanic waters. Enters lagoons. Feeds bottom invertebrates, including worms, crabs and shrimp. Spawns in the sea but uses estuaries as nursery grounds. Prime angling fish. Important food fish. Sold fresh and whole in markets.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Lithognathus lithognathus
Family
Sparidae (Porgies)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
200
Common length
65.0
Depth range
150 m (492 ft)
Environment
Marine; brackish; benthopelagic; amphidromous; depth range ? - 150 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Southeast Atlantic: known only from the Orange River mouth to Natal, South Africa.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Lower Risk: conservation dependent (LR/cd)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.1)

Sources

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

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