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Jutjaw (Parascorpis typus) — Parascorpididae

Jutjaw

Parascorpis typus

The Jutjaw (Parascorpis typus) is a saltwater fish of the family Parascorpididae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–200.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The jutjaw is the only species of its family (Parascorpididae), from coastal waters of the western Indian Ocean, off southern Africa. The species grows to about 60 cm and has a deep, grey-silver, laterally compressed body with a projecting lower jaw. As a schooling species it hovers above deeper rocky reefs and slopes and picks suspended zooplankton. It is a local food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Jutjaw?

The Jutjaw has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Jutjaw live?

The Jutjaw lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Jutjaw get?

The Jutjaw grows to a maximum of about 60 cm.

Is the Jutjaw dangerous to humans?

No, the Jutjaw is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Jutkaak sourced
English name
Jutjaw sourced
Scientific name
Parascorpis typus
Family
Parascorpididae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

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