Congo Dentex

Body oval and compressed. Head profile regularly convex; interorbital space wide (27 to 32% of head length); suborbital space narrow (12 to 14% of head length). Cheeks scaly; scales also present on preopercle except at its posterior margin. Mouth low, slightly oblique. Jaws subequal. Several rows of canine-like teeth, outer row much the strongest, with 4 to 6 better developed anterior teeth in each jaw, the uppers visible when mouth is closed. Gillrakers on first arch 12 to 14 lower and 6 to 9 upper. Dorsal fin with 12 spines and 9 or 10 soft rays, the spines increasing in length up to the fourth or fifth, the following subequal; anal fin with 3 spines and 7 or 8 soft rays. Scales along lateral line 45 to 47. Colour red with silvery reflections, head darker and belly lighter. Dorsal and anal fins red distally, whitish at bases; pectoral fins and caudal fin pinkish red; pelvic fins whitish.

Maximum 30 cm; common to 20 cm

Benthopelagic behaviour.Inhabits various types of bottoms on the continental shelf and upper slope, down to at least 200 m, older individuals occurring at greater depths. A carnivore feeding chiefly on fish, and to a lesser extend, on tunicates and molluscs.

Throughout its range. A seasonal fishery linked to upwellings (peak from July to October). Separate statistics are not reported for this species. Caught with bottom trawls, bottom longlines and on other line gear. Flesh highly esteemed. Marketed fresh or frozen, rarely smoked, also used for fishmeal and oil.

Inhabits various types of bottoms on the continental shelf and upper slope, down to at least 200 m, older individuals occurring at greater depths. Feeds mainly on fish, and to a lesser extent, on tunicates and molluscs.

Inhabits various types of bottoms on the continental shelf and upper slope, down to at least 200 m, older individuals occurring at greater depths. Feeds mainly on fish, and to a lesser extent, on tunicates and mollusks (Ref. 3688). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: high; price reliability: reliable: based on ex-vessel price for this species