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Cubiceps capensis (Smith, 1845) Cape fathead |
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photo by
Lord, R. |
| Family: | Nomeidae (Driftfishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 101 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 0 - 140 m, oceanodromous | |||
| Distribution: | Probably circumglobal in tropical and temperate seas. Reported from the Mediterranean (Ref. 11228). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-23; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 20-21; Vertebrae: 31-31. Dark brown to deep purple, fins dark (Ref. 4412). Preorbital snout naked or with a few predorsal scales distinctly smaller than those between eyes (Ref 9834). | |||
| Biology: | Oceanic, epipelagic or mesopelagic in tropical waters. Feeds mainly on salps (Ref. 33689). Occurs near the surface at night but depth at daytime is not known. Excellent food fish. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2013 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||