Scombrops boops (Houttuyn, 1782)
Gnomefish
photo by Shao, K.T.

Family:  Scombropidae (Gnomefishes)
Max. size:  150 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 16 kg
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 20 - 400 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Mozambique and South Africa (Ref. 6637), Japan and the East China Sea. Southeast Atlantic: Cape, South Africa (Ref. 6637).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 12-13. Adults black in color; juveniles dusky silver.
Biology:  Adults found in deep rocky areas; young found in shallow water. The diet consists of fishes, crustaceans and squids. Spawns from October to March.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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