''Pachymetopon blochii'', the hottentot seabream or hottentot, is a species of
sea bream
The Sparidae are a family of fish in the order Perciformes, commonly called sea breams and porgies. The sheepshead, scup, and red seabream are species in this family. Most sparids are deep-bodied compressed fish with a small mouth separated by a ...
in the
family Sparidae
The Sparidae are a family of fish in the order Perciformes, commonly called sea breams and porgies. The sheepshead, scup, and red seabream are species in this family. Most sparids are deep-bodied compressed fish with a small mouth separated by a ...
, native to the southwestern coast of Africa.
Description
''Pachymetopon blochii'' has a bronzy grey color, with darker fins. The small mouth contains five rows of incisors in both upper and lower jaw, but no molars.
Adults are commonly around 25 cm in length at the age of maturity, but may reach up to 54 cm, with a maximum recorded weight of 2.67 kg.
Distribution and habitat
The species occurs in the southeastern Atlantic, from
Angola to
Cape Agulhas at the southern tip of South Africa.
Vagrants have been recorded as far east as the mouth of the
Tsitsikamma River
The Tsitsikamma River ( af, Tsitsikammarivier) is a small river at the western end of the Eastern Cape coast, South Africa. It is part of the Fish to Tsitsikama Water Management Area.
Course
It is a small permanent river that has its sources i ...
.
''Pachymetopon blochii'' inhabits
kelp beds on shallow rocky reefs, as well as blinders, subtidal reefs and offshore pinnacles in deeper waters (up to 55 m). Juveniles are restricted to the kelp beds.
Ecology
The species is a generalist and feeds on seaweeds, algae, crustaceans, worms, molluscs, sea urchins, and occasionally small fish. It may spawn all year round, with peaks in summer and winter.
Individuals generally live to an age of about 12 years,
[ but may exceptionally reach an age of up to 21 years. Generation length is about 9 years.]isopod
Isopoda is an order of crustaceans that includes woodlice and their relatives. Isopods live in the sea, in fresh water, or on land. All have rigid, segmented exoskeletons, two pairs of antennae, seven pairs of jointed limbs on the thorax, an ...
''Anilocra capensis
''Anilocra capensis'' is a species of parasitic isopod in the family Cymothoidae. It is endemic to southern Africa. The species preferentially attaches itself to the hottentot seabream.
Description
''Anilocra capensis'' has a smooth, slate-gre ...
''.
Conservation
''Pachymetopon blochii'' is an important species in a variety of smaller-scale fisheries (artisanal linefishery, recreational shore and ski-boat fishery) and occurs as bycatch in gill-net fishery. However, it appears not to be exploited to an extent that is damaging stocks, and is common in a number of protected areas in its range. It is therefore classified as Least Concern by the IUCN
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN; officially International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natu ...
.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q975739
Sparidae
Taxa named by Achille Valenciennes
Fish described in 1830