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Barred flagtail
The barred flagtail is a small species, with five characteristic dark stripes on its forked tail that can sometimes be traced across its silver body. It has two small spines on its gill covers which deter some predators from eating it. It is common in the waters of KwaZulu-Natal where it feeds on small crustaceans and small fish. Juvenile flagtails can sometimes be seen in shallow tidal pools. This fish forms tightly packed shoals that regularly travel in lagoons and brackish water. Barred flagtails are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.Santer
The santer is an oval-shaped fish, with a silver-pink body and poorly defined vertical pink bands on its sides that are particularly indistinct on adults. Its pectoral fins are pale blue. This fish is a predator, hunting smaller fish, crustaceans and squid along the southern African East Coast to the Cape of Good Hope. Santers that are line-caught in South Africa are listed as Orange by WWF-SASSI, while those caught in Mozambique are Red. This species is best avoided while stocks recover.White kingfish
The white kingfish is a large fish with a silver-grey body that can take on a green tint on the fish’s upper side, and a yellow band that runs along its lateral line. Schools of white kingfish inhabit coastal waters across the Atlantic Ocean – from the United States and Spain to South Africa. It prefers to shoal over reefs, where it spawns during winter. Young white kingfish typically hunt small invertebrates and fish using suction (just like seahorses) The IUCN status of the white kingfish is Least Concern.Seventy-four
The seventy-four is a beautiful fish, with a pinkish head and belly, silver-yellow body and four to six iridescent blue stripes running horizontally across its sides. On each side, above its pectoral fin, is a conspicuous black spot. It is primarily a piscivore, feeding on smaller fish such as sardines and mullet, but will also eat squid and crustaceans if available. Juvenile seventy-fours feed exclusively on tiny invertebrates. Due to overfishing in the 1960s, the seventy-four now faces extinction in the wild. Thanks to a total ban on fishing, and proper management of its ecosystem, its numbers are slowly recovering. The seventy-four is Critically Endangered, the most severe rating on the IUCN Red List. It is also Red on the WWF-SASSI List.Brown burnie
Brown burnies are rather drab compared to other butterflyfish. Other than a dull yellow head they are almost entirely brown. Even their eye bar, characteristic of butterflyfish, is brown. They are solitary, but sometimes pair up for hunting when they pursue small invertebrates. The brown burnie is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and has a stable population.African penguin
African penguins are found only off the coastlines of South Africa and Namibia. South Africa has two land-based colonies, one in Boulders Beach and the other in Betty's Bay.
Pearly butterflyfish
Pearly butterflyfish have very distinct colouration - silver-white bodies, yellow hindquarters and black chevron stripes pointing towards their heads.They inhabit sea-facing reefs off the east coast of Southern Africa, where they hunt small invertebrates and scavenge scraps of seaweed.The IUCN status is Least Concern.Pyjama catshark
Some sharks are ahead of the trend when it comes to comfort—living in their pyjamas! Meet the pyjama catshark, a nocturnal creature that spends most of the day lounging in caves or crevices, catching some z's. And with those signature pyjama stripes; it’s no wonder they’re all about napping in style!
Red steenbras (copper steenbras)
Many fishermen have stories to tell about this species. Red steenbras is one of the most popular species amongst anglers because it can be caught on just about any bait and puts up a good fight.
Blue-ringed octopus
The blue-ringed octopus is renowned for being one of the world’s most venomous marine animals, despite reaching a maximum of 10 cm in size.
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