Red stumpnose are endemic off South Africa and occur from False Bay to Margate, although they are more common south of East London.
They have steep foreheads which, in males, become increasingly pronounced and bulbous as they get older. They have strong molars which they use to crush prey such as redbait, urchins, octopi and crabs.
Although red stumpnose are good to eat, they have been over-exploited. Presently they may only be caught once they have reached a minimum size of 30cm and anglers may only catch one fish per person per day.
Photograph courtesy : http://www.aquarium.co.za
This is an example of a mature red stumpnose male: he looks very different to the juvenile red stumpnose and his pronounced forehead gives him an uncannily human-like face.
Don’t you wonder what he’s thinking when he’s looking at us?
Photograph by Karin Schwerm
Fast facts
* Steep foreheads that become increasingly pronounced and bulbous in males as they get older
* Listed as Orange on SASSI’s Consumer Seafood List (see www.wwfsassi.co.za)
Red stumpnose are currently listed as an Orange species on SASSI’s Customer Seafood List, which means you should proceed with caution when buying these fish as seafood.
An enchanted underwater forest
Photograph by Karin Schwerm
The Kelp Forest is an underwater forest where kelp plants grow like tall trees, fish swim through the fronds like birds and abalone, sea urchins and rock lobsters feed and take cover among the root-like holdfasts. Other animals like Cape fur seals hunt for food and hide from great white sharks in the jungle of kelp stems.
Kelp forests are currently displayed in only three aquariums in the world – Monterey Bay Aquarium in California in the United States, the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in Taiwan and Two Oceans Aquarium.
Here, three species of giant kelp provide shelter for an array of local fish, which drift amongst the kelp fronds. Our visitors are mesmerised by the hypnotic sway of the tall kelp plants and the play of dappled sunlight on silver fish. Central to the "two oceans" theme, this enchanting forest remains one of our biggest drawcards and many visitors return time and time again to its beauty and tranquility.
Kelp forests thrive off southern Africa where the icy Atlantic Ocean washes over rocky and shallow reefs from Cape Agulhas, at the southern tip of Africa, to central Namibia. The southeasterly that buffets the Cape Peninsula in summer causes upwellings of rich nutrients from the cold, dark depths of the ocean. These nutrients fertilise the kelp plants, allowing them to grow into giant forests, the canopies of which can be seen from the shore.
Four species of kelp grow off our coast, but you are most likely to relate to the sea bamboo, Ecklonia maxima, which is washed onto our beaches by rough seas.
Common Name: Red Stumpnose
Other Names: Miss Lucy (Port Elizabeth), Mighel (Knysna)
Scientific Name: Chrysoblephus Gibbiceps
Habitat: Red Stumpnose are a cooler water species and they stick to places of strong cold currents.
Distribution: This fish has a limited distribution, occurring from the Cape to East London.
Bait: Sea urchins, crabs and small fish will make good bait.
Fishing Strategy: Red Stumpnose are shy fish and you will have to concentrate to know when the bait is being pulled.
Eating Quality: The flesh is soft, juicy and very tasty. When braaied it tastes like rock lobster.
Tackle:
* 6 - 8kg line
* Rod with a soft, sensitive tip
* Use a light sinker
* Long hook trace with 4/0 or 5/0 hook
