Chrysoblephus laticeps

Red Roman
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Suborder:	Percoidei
Superfamily:	Percoidea
Family:	Sparidae
Genus:	Chrysoblephus
Species:	C. laticeps
Binomial name
Chrysoblephus laticeps Valenciennes, 1830

Chrysoblephus laticeps ('golden-eyed broad head') aka Roman Nose Goby or Red Roman or Roman seabream, is a marine demersal fish growing to a maximum length of 500mm and a recorded mass of 4200g. It is a slow-growing species showing late sexual maturity, and is closely related to the Red Stumpnose. Its distribution extends over the southeastern Atlantic and southwestern Indian Ocean, Mauritius, southern Madagascar and along the southern African coastline from northern Namibia to northern Natal. It is found above rocky bottoms and reefs, in water up to 100m in depth and is often caught from the beach by anglers. Juveniles mature in seaweed beds and feed on mollusks, crustaceans, worms and fish. Adults are benthic feeders, living on crustaceans, sea urchins and polychaete worms.

Mature females transform into territorial males upon further growth (see Protogyny). ^[1] The species forms pairs before an elaborate courtship ritual and spawning, the eggs being released well above the seafloor. ^[2]

The Red Roman is of robust build, orange to red in colour, showing a striking white saddle and white bar over the gill cover, with a horizontal blue line linking the eyes. Its canines are prominent [1] and it has several rows of molars in both upper and lower jaws.

South African research shows that individuals occupy a territory ranging between 1 000m² and 3 000m², and that the extent is independent of fish size or habitat quality. These small home ranges suggest that dispersal of the species is mainly by planktonic larvae. Activity is markedly reduced during the night, and when cold-water upwelling occur, fish seek the shelter of caves. Over the spawning period, females wander beyond their normal home boundaries. ^[3]

This species is sought after by line fishers, operating from the shore or from boats within the inshore zone. Linefishing is the least destructive fishing method, having little impact when carried out with rod and reel or a handline. Other methods, such as spearfishing, lead to overfishing and a population decline in areas such as Port Elizabeth and False Bay. Its slow growth renders the species particularly vulnerable. There is evidence of some recovery of numbers within Marine Protected Areas. ^[4]

External links

• Photo Gallery
• South African Journal of Science vol.105 no.9-10 Sept/Oct 2009
• Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative

References

1. ^ Universal Fish Catalogue
2. ^ http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1990.tb04321.x/abstract
3. ^ African Journal of Marine Science
4. ^ http://www.wwfsassi.co.za/?m=5&s=5&idkey=878