Genypterus capensis

The cusk-eel ( Genypterus capensis ) is a species of the family of cusk ( Ophidiidae ). The eel-like bottom fish lives on the coasts of South Africa and Namibia on rocky regions of the continental Schelfes and the continental slope in 50 to 500 meters deep. It feeds on small fish, squid and crustaceans. The spawning season is from August to October. Juveniles live in shallower areas than adults.

Features

Genypterus capensis is up to 1.80 m long and up to 15 kg. It is colored orange or pink. On his back he wears dark spots. The dorsal fin has about 150 fin rays, the anal fin about 100 Both fins are grown together with the tail fin to form a continuous Flossensaum.

Currently, is still unclear whether Genypterus capensis and the closely related Genypterus are blacodes two different ways.

Use

The cusk-eel is caught commercially and used as a food fish. 1996 6281 tons were caught. Its flesh is white, firm, grätenarm and has a distinctive flavor. It can be found as fresh fish on the menu in almost all the great restaurants of the South African Cape. In Europe it is usually offered frozen in trade.