Pachymetopon aeneum (Gilchrist & Thompson, 1908)
Blue hottentot
photo by FAO

Family:  Sparidae (Porgies)
Max. size:  55 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 20 - 50 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: known only from Sodwana Bay to the Cape in South Africa.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 10-10. Head cobalt blue, body blue-streaked bronzy-yellow.
Biology:  Found on rocky substrate. Feeds on benthic organisms like worms, ascidians, crustaceans, mollusks and algae (Ref. 5213). Rarely caught by shore anglers. Esteemed food fish. Sold fresh in markets.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 December 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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