Cymatoceps nasutus (Castelnau, 1861)
Black musselcracker
Cymatoceps nasutus
photo by Polack, D.

Family:  Sparidae (Porgies)
Max. size:  150 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 34 kg
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 80 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Natal to the Cape in South Africa.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Adults with a large fleshy 'nose'.
Biology:  Inhabits shallow, rocky coastal areas to 80 m depth. Rarely enters estuaries. Feeds on crabs, crayfish, sea urchins and other hard-shelled animals (Ref. 3670). Takes almost any bait (Ref. 3198). Important food fish. Head considered a delicacy in some areas (Ref. 3198). It is parasitised by the monogenean Anoplodiscus cirrusspiralis on the fins and body surface (Ref. 124057).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 15 November 2009 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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