Name: Cape knifejaw, black parrotfish, cuckoo bass
Scientific Name: Oplegnathus conwayi (Richardson, 1840)
Family: Oplegnathidae
Group: Bony fish
Class: Fish
Size: 51-100 cm.
The Cape knifejaw has teeth fused in such a way as to form a beak, which resembles that of a parrot. This beak allows it to easily pull sponges and algae from the rocks. It is a fish exclusive to the coastal waters of South Africa, which is found in reefs where the adults form territorial pairs. The juveniles seek shelter next to floating objects such as buoys and are distinguished by having a yellow body with black stripes.
Photo by:
Abílio Leitão
Oceanário Location
Deep Rocky Reefs
