Emmelichthys nitidus Richardson, 1845
Cape bonnetmouth
Emmelichthys nitidus
photo by Smith, B.

Family:  Emmelichthyidae (Rovers)
Max. size:  55 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 86 - 500 m
Distribution:  Southastern Atlantic: Off western Cape coast in South Africa, Namibia and Tristan da Cunha. Indo-Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, St. Paul and Amsterdam islands. Emmelichthys nitidus cyanescens is found in the eastern Pacific.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 10-10. Reddish, darker (bluish grey) dorsally, silvery white below (Ref. 5325).
Biology:  A schooling species (Ref. 9563). Reported from between depths of 86 m (Ref. 58489) and 500 m (Ref. 5325). Juveniles occur near the surface, often with schools of clupeids while adults are found near the bottom in deeper water (Ref. 3394). Adults feed mainly on larger zooplankton (Ref. 3394). An excellent food fish; marketed fresh or frozen (Ref. 3394).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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