Appearance and lifestyle:
Strepies (Sarpa salpa) are small, silvery fish with plump bodies that can grow up to about 30cm in length. The name “strepie” (meaning “small stripe” in Afrikaans) refers to the bright yellow stripes that run horizontally along the fish’s body. They are also known locally as “karanteen” and are often used as bait by anglers.
Habitat:
Strepies live in both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, and prefer cooler water and rocky areas. According to A Guide to the Common Sea Fishes of Southern Africa by Rudy van der Elst (Struik, 1985), this is one of the most abundant herbivorous fish species in southern Africa and is “undoubtedly an important link in the foodweb”. This distinctive fish lives from southern Mozambique, around Cape Point, and up the west coast of Africa, and it is also found throughout the Mediterranean.
Diet:
Adult strepies are herbivorous, while juveniles feed on small crustaceans.
Threats:
Strepies are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Potential threats include pollution, climate change, and overfishing.