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Hottentot seabream (Pachymetopon blochii) — Sparidae

Hottentot seabream

Pachymetopon blochii
Family: Sparidae

The Hottentot seabream (Pachymetopon blochii) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 46 cm.

Length
46 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–? m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Angola, Namibia, South Africa
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The hottentot seabream is a seabream (Sparidae) from coastal waters of southern Africa. The species grows to about 46 cm and has a deep, dark bronze-grey body with a blunt head and small mouth. As a bottom-oriented omnivore it lives in schools around rocky reefs and kelp beds and eats algae, small invertebrates and molluscs. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hottentot seabream?

The Hottentot seabream has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Hottentot seabream live?

The Hottentot seabream lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Angola, Namibia, South Africa

How big does the Hottentot seabream get?

The Hottentot seabream grows to a maximum of about 46 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Hottentot seabream dangerous to humans?

No, the Hottentot seabream 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 Hottentot seabream edible?

Yes, the Hottentot seabream is commonly eaten.

More photos

Hottentot seabream (Pachymetopon blochii) — Sparidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Brenton, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Hottentot seabream (Pachymetopon blochii) — Sparidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Peter Southwood (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Hottentot seabream (Pachymetopon blochii) — Sparidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) anjadocke, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hottentot seabream (Pachymetopon blochii) — Sparidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Peter Southwood (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Hottentot seabream sourced
Scientific name
Pachymetopon blochii
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Hottentot; Hottentot seabream verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
46.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Angola, Namibia, South Africa sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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 Pachymetopon

More from the family Sparidae

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