Search
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.Longfinned batfish
The longfinned batfish has a narrow body and steep forehead, in profile appearing as a large disc.
Garrick (leervis)
The garrick is an elongated predator, with a sleek silver-green body and dark fins. Its most notable identifying feature is the downward curving lateral line along its sides.
Yellowfin surgeonfish
The yellowfin surgeonfish is a beautiful fish that gradually changes colour as it matures.
Comet
The comet is a tropical reef-dwelling fish that is characterised by its dark black-brown body which is covered in small white spots.
Yellow teardrop butterflyfish
This bright yellow butterflyfish is easily identifiable by its coloration, its black eye spot and the black bar through its eye.
Copperband butterflyfish
The copperband butterflyfish is visually very similar to the South African butterflyfish.
Jumping bean
The jumping bean is a shy fish, but it is hard to miss when one catches a glimpse of its brilliant blue body and burnt orange head and back.
Ocellated snake-eel
Ocellated snake-eels inhabit sandy coral reefs and lagoons along South Africa’s east coast