Appearance and lifestyle:
Red stumpnose (Chrysoblephus gibbiceps) have steep foreheads which, in males, become increasingly pronounced and bulbous as they get older. They are silvery pink in colour, and they have 5-7 red vertical bars. They can live till 48 years.
Habitat:
Red stumpnose are endemic off South Africa and occur from False Bay to Margate, although they are more common south of East London.
Diet:
They have strong molars which they use to crush prey such as redbait, urchins, octopuses and crabs.
Threats:
Although red stumpnose are good to eat, they have been over-exploited. Presently they may only be caught once they have reached a minimum size of 30cm and anglers may only catch one fish per person per day.
Red stumpnose are currently listed as a Red species on SASSI’s Customer Seafood List, which means you should not buy or sell these fish as seafood.