Genypterus capensis, Kingklip : fisheries

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Genypterus capensis (Smith, 1847)

Kingklip
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Genypterus capensis   AquaMaps   Data sources: GBIF OBIS
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Image of Genypterus capensis (Kingklip)
Genypterus capensis
Picture by Charles Griffiths/Two Oceans Aquarium

Common names from other countries

Abadèche du cap, Congribadejo del Cabo, Конгрио африканский, ... more

Classification / Names Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa

Teleostei (teleosts) > Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels) > Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels) > Ophidiinae
Etymology: Genypterus: Greek, geny, -yos = face, jaw + Greek, pteron, = wing, fin (Ref. 45335).

Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range Ecology

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 50 - 500 m (Ref. 4103), usually 250 - 350 m (Ref. 27121). Deep-water; 21°S - 37°S, 12°E - 28°E (Ref. 34024)

Distribution Territories | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Point map | Introductions | Faunafri

Eastern Atlantic: Walvis Bay, Namibia to Algoa Bay, South Africa. Distinctiveness of this species and Genypterus blacodes is unclear (Ref. 34024).

Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age

Maturity: Lm 67.5, range 60 - 75 cm
Max length : 180 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3686); max. published weight: 15.0 kg (Ref. 9988)

Short description Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics

Dorsal soft rays (total): 150; Anal soft rays: 110. Head and body usually pinkish to orangish with dark spots and blotches especially dorsally (Ref. 34024).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.

Biology     Glossary (e.g. epibenthic)

Occur in rocky areas of the shelf and upper continental slope. Juveniles found in shallow waters than adults (Ref. 36731). Benthic and common species (Ref. 34024). Feed on dragonets, mantis shrimps, hake, squid, and various fishes (Ref. 27121). Spawning occurs from August to October. Oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205). Utilized fresh and frozen; can be fried and baked (Ref. 9988).

Life cycle and mating behavior Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae

Main reference Upload your references | References | Coordinator | Collaborators

Nielsen, J.G., D.M. Cohen, D.F. Markle and C.R. Robins, 1999. Ophidiiform fishes of the world (Order Ophidiiformes). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of pearlfishes, cusk-eels, brotulas and other ophidiiform fishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(18):178p. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 34024)

IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)

Not Evaluated 

CITES

Not Evaluated

CMS (Ref. 116361)

Not Evaluated

Threat to humans

  Harmless





Human uses

Fisheries: commercial
FAO - Fisheries: landings; Publication: search | FIRMS - Stock assessments | FishSource | Sea Around Us

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Internet sources

AFORO (otoliths) | Aquatic Commons | BHL | Cloffa | Websites from users | Check FishWatcher | CISTI | Catalog of Fishes: genus, species | DiscoverLife | ECOTOX | FAO - Fisheries: landings; Publication: search | Faunafri | Fishipedia | Fishtrace | GloBI | Google Books | Google Scholar | Google | IGFA World Record | OneZoom | Open Tree of Life | Otolith Atlas of Taiwan Fishes | PubMed | Reef Life Survey | Socotra Atlas | TreeBase | Tree of Life | Wikipedia: Go, Search |