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Fransmadam
Fransmadam, meaning “French mistress”, is an old Cape name for these fish, possibly referring to the drab dresses worn by early Huguenot women.
Endemic to southern Africa, it is a shoaling species that lives around scattered and flat reefs between 5m and 30m deep.
Guinea fowl wrasse
The Guinea fowl wrasse occurs in the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and off East Africa.They can be seen on depth between 4 and 60m.The females are often seen in large groups, congregating on coral reefs.They constantly move and only stop to quickly pick off some invertebrates, which make up a large part of their diet.The males are darker than the female in colouring and are rarely seen as they keep to themselves.Mature males can reach a length of up to 22cm.Western clownfish (anemonefish)
These fish live in a mutually symbiotic partnership with anemones.
While most fish avoid anemones because of the stinging cells in their tentacles, the clownfish is coated with protective mucus, which enables it to swim freely in and around the anemone.
Giant spotted hermit crab
The giant spotted hermit crab is easy to spot – with three sets of legs and a vivid orange body decorated with ringed white spots, these crabs certainly are uniquely designed!
Giant yellowtail (cape yellowtail)
Giant yellowtail live in the cold Atlantic waters off the Cape. During the annual sardine run, they migrate towards the east coast of southern Africa to feast on the sardines.
Yellowtail gather in large shoals offshore, at depths of up to 110m.
Black musselcracker (poenskop)
Black musselcrackers have powerful jaws with a set of impressive teeth – four cone-shaped teeth in the upper jaw and six in the lower jaw, as well as two rows of rounded molars in each jaw.They use these teeth to crush starfish, sea urchins, crabs and chitons.Clanwilliam yellowfish
This species occurs only in the deep pools and slow-flowing regions of the Olifants River in the Western CapeThese fish migrate upstream to spawn over the gravel beds of the middle reaches.They are threatened by the construction of dams, which obstruct migration routes and change the natural flood and temperature cycles in the river.Other threats include large-scale removal of river water, and alien fish, which feed on the eggs and young of the yellowfish.Berg-breede river whitefish
This species occurs only in the Berg and Breede rivers.
They live in deep rocky pools and lay their eggs in gravel beds in the middle reaches.
Common carp (alien)
Naturally occurring in Central Asia and parts of Europe, common carp are now found in many parts of the world.
Like most other alien species, they are hardy and can tolerate a wide range of conditions, thriving in dams and large turbid rivers.
Carp stir up sediments when they feed, making the water cloudy, and sometimes stirring up water low in oxygen.
This can affect plant growth, as well as changing habitat quality for indigenous fish and other aquatic species that have adaptations for hunting or feeding in clearer waters.
Their destructive feeding habits have led to carp being viewed as pests by many conservationists.
Klipvis
There are 39 species of klipvis and all are found only off the coast of Southern Africa.
Most klipvis live in shallow rocky areas, but some can also be seen in sandy areas.
Klipvis do not lay eggs as the eggs are fertilised internally.
Mating can be a lengthy process and take up to an hour or longer.
The females give birth to fully developed young.
Southern mullet
Mullet occur in dense shoals off the rocky shores and sandy beaches of the southern and western Cape coast. They spawn during spring in shallow waters and tend to frequent estuaries as nursery areas.
Instead of a stomach, these fish have a crop similar to a gizzard in birds. They feed mainly on microscopic plants and often take in fine granules of sand, which may assist digestion.
Commonly known as “harder”, this species supports an important commercial seine and gill net fishery. Catches of 5 to 6 million fish a year have been recorded.
Clown triggerfish
The clown triggerfish is recognisable by its orange “clown lips” and large white spots on the lower part of its body.
It has three spines in its dorsal fin, the first of which can be locked in an upright position to protect the fish from potential predators, or to wedge itself into the reef.
The clown triggerfish is found on shallow rocky and coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific oceans and feeds on crustaceans and other hard-shelled animals. It particularly favours sea urchins and uses its strong teeth to bite off the spines.
Divers often hear grunting noises made by these fish through vibrations in the air bladder. Some triggers are aggressive and will even chase divers and snorkellers away from their territories.