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Natal pandora (Pagellus natalensis) — Sparidae

Natal pandora

Pagellus natalensis
Family: Sparidae
LC · Least Concern

The Natal pandora (Pagellus natalensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–150.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Indian Ocean; sandy and muddy bottoms.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Natal pandora is a seabream (Sparidae) from the western Indian Ocean. The species has a deep, pink-silvery body with large eyes. It lives near the bottom on sand and mud bottoms, often at depths around one hundred and fifty metres. As an omnivore it eats a range of things but prefers small bottom animals such as crustaceans, molluscs and worms. It is a food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Natal pandora?

The Natal pandora has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly pink-purple and shows a plain pattern. Deep pink body with large eyes; bottom-dwelling sea bream of south-eastern Africa.

Where does the Natal pandora live?

The Natal pandora lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Indian Ocean; sandy and muddy bottoms.

How big does the Natal pandora get?

The Natal pandora grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Natal pandora dangerous to humans?

No, the Natal pandora is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Natal pandora edible?

Yes, the Natal pandora is commonly eaten.

More photos

Natal pandora (Pagellus natalensis) — Sparidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Natal pandora (Pagellus natalensis) — Sparidae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Natal pandora (Pagellus natalensis) — Sparidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) kerrysink, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Natal pandora (Pagellus natalensis) — Sparidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) rov_ryan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Natal pandora verified
Scientific name
Pagellus natalensis
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Red tjor tjor; Red tjor-tjor; Sand soldier verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
150.0 verified
Natural range
Western Indian Ocean; sandy and muddy bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly small benthic invertebrates: crustaceans, molluscs and worms sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Deep pink body with large eyes; bottom-dwelling sea bream of south-eastern Africa. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pagellus

More from the family Sparidae

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