Home · Sparidae · Bigeye stumpnose
Bigeye stumpnose (Rhabdosargus thorpei) — Sparidae

Bigeye stumpnose

Rhabdosargus thorpei
Family: Sparidae

The Bigeye stumpnose (Rhabdosargus thorpei) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Kenya, Madagascar, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Bigeye stumpnose?

Get the app

Description

The bigeye stumpnose is a seabream (Sparidae) from coastal and estuarine water of southeastern Africa. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a deep, silvery body with large eyes, a blunt snout and strong molars with which it crushes shellfish. As a bottom-oriented predator it lives over sand and reef bottoms of shallow coastal water and eats molluscs, crustaceans and worms. It is a valued sport and food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigeye stumpnose?

The Bigeye stumpnose has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Bigeye stumpnose live?

The Bigeye stumpnose lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Kenya, Madagascar, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania

How big does the Bigeye stumpnose get?

The Bigeye stumpnose grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Bigeye stumpnose dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigeye stumpnose is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Bigeye stumpnose edible?

Yes, the Bigeye stumpnose is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bigeye stumpnose (Rhabdosargus thorpei) — Sparidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Bigeye stumpnose (Rhabdosargus thorpei) — Sparidae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Bigeye stumpnose (Rhabdosargus thorpei) — Sparidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Georgina Jones (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Bigeye stumpnose (Rhabdosargus thorpei) — Sparidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — jeyre (CC BY 4.0)
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bigeye stumpnose?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bigeye stumpnose is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Bigeye stumpnose sourced
Scientific name
Rhabdosargus thorpei
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Bigeye stumpnose verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Africa: Kenya, Madagascar, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Rhabdosargus

More from the family Sparidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bigeye stumpnose?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bigeye stumpnose is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Bigeye stumpnose? Get the app