More Reef Fishes & Nudibranchs, by Dennis King and Valda Fraser

More Reef Fishes & Nudibranchs, by Dennis King and Valda Fraser.

From the guide to marine fauna More Reef Fishes & Nudibranchs, descriptions are listed in the following excerpt. Authors: Dennis King and Valda Fraser.

Dennis King  Valda Fraser  

Eel Catfishes

Eel Catfishes - Family Plotosidae. Catfishes are characterized by a slender, tapering eel-like body with barbels around the mouth. Venomous spines are located at the front of the pectoral fins and the first dorsal fin.

STRIPED EEL CATFISH - Plotosus lineatus
Attains 32 cm. Two white lateral stripes mark the sides of the black body. The black fades to brown with age. Adults are solitary and hide by day Juveniles may form dense shoals for protection against predation. Frequents estuaries, tidal pools and reefs to a depth of 35 m. Feeds at night on bottom-dwelling invertebrates. Widespread throughout Indo-West Pacific, south to Eastern Cape. Reasonably common.

Lizardfishes

Lizardfishes - Family Synodontidae. Lizardfish are moderately small, cylindrically shaped, bottom-dwelling fish. They are recognized by their reptile-like head and large mouth, which is filled with slender, pointed fangs. These voracious predators lie on the seabed, ready to dart forward and grab passing prey such as fish and swimming invertebrates.

BLACKTAIL LIZARDFISH - Synodus jaculum
Attains 20 cm. Recognized by the large black blotch at tail base and the black marking on snout. Body has irregular vertical dark bars and stripes. Dorsal surface is bluish green. Can pale or darken to suit surroundings. Occurs on coral and rocky reefs to depths of 2-90 m. Preys on fishes and invertebrates. Ranges from Indo-West Pacific, south to southern KwaZulu-Natal. An uncommon species.

Anglerfishes

Anglerfishes (frogfishes) - Family Antennariidae. These oddly shaped fish have globular, compressed bodies with loose, prickly skin and limb-like pectoral fins. They have a large, upwardly directed mouth. First dorsal spine is modified into a retractable 'fishing rod", tipped with an enticing lure. They lie in wait on the reef, moving the lure to attract prey which is swallowed whole. They are masters at camouflage, as body colour and skin texture blend into the background.

GIANT ANGLERFISH - Antennarius commerson
Attains 33 cm. Colour ranges from beige, black, yellow, green to orange. Adults mimic sponges perfectly. Found on coral reefs in/depths of 1-45 m. Feeds on fish and crustaceans. Widespread throughout Indo-West Pacific, Red Sea extending to KwaZulu-Natal. An uncommon to rare species.

PAINTED ANGLERFISH - Antennarius pictus
Attains 25 cm. Generally mottled yellow, brown and pink with irregular dark and white patches. Has numerous skin flaps and filamentous appendages on body and head. Found on coral and rocky offshore reefs to a depth of 40 m. Preys on fish and crustaceans. Occurs throughout tropical Indo-West Pacific, extending to southern KwaZulu-Natal. Uncommon and seldom sighted due to its excellent camouflage. [...]

This is an excerpt from the guide: More Reef Fishes & Nudibranchs. East and South Coast of Southern Africa, by Dennis King and Valda Fraser.

Title: More Reef Fishes & Nudibranchs
Subtitle: East and South Coast of Southern Africa
Authors: Dennis King; Valda Fraser
Publisher: Random House Struik
Imprint: Nature
Cape Town, South Africa 2002
ISBN 9781868726868 / ISBN 978-1-86872-686-8
Softcover, 15x21 cm, 136 pages, throughout colour photos