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African basslet (Liopropoma africanum) — Serranidae

African basslet

Liopropoma africanum
Family: Serranidae

The African basslet (Liopropoma africanum) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
8.0–48.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The African basslet is a small sea bass or basslet (Serranidae) from reef and rocky water of the western Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 10 cm and has an elongate, often finely red or yellow patterned body. As a shy, cryptic fish it darts from crevice to crevice deep in coral and rock and hunts small crustaceans and small fish. Like many sea basses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the African basslet?

The African basslet has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the African basslet live?

The African basslet lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the African basslet get?

The African basslet grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the African basslet dangerous to humans?

No, the African basslet is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Afrikaanse basslet sourced
English name
African basslet sourced
Scientific name
Liopropoma africanum
Family
Serranidae
Other names
African basslet verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
8.0 verified
Max depth (m)
48.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Liopropoma

More from the family Serranidae

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