Oplegnathus conwayi
Cuckoo bass | Cape Knifejaw
Same Genus
Distribution
Localised
Description
Silver-grey body, with an oblong triangular head and fused teeth forming a parrot-like beak. A broad dark mask over eyes and a diffuse dark spot around and behind base of pectoral fin. Juveniles bright yellow with a black bar over eye and a broad dark bar on rear of body and tail base.
Information
Max Size: 90 cm
Sea Temperature Range: 14.9-22.3°C
Depth: 0-150m
Habitat Generalization Index: N/A
Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.
Conservation and Rarity
IUCN Status: Not Evaluated
Occurrence: Common (42.9% of sites)
Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed
Abundance: Few (4 per transect)
Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.
Edit by: Joe Shields