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Species: Cubiceps capensis, Cape Cigarfish

All Families:   All Genera:   All Species:

head scales to front eye
center roof mouth: 1 row pointed teeth
D 20-22
A III, 19-22
tongue: 1 row pointed teeth
pectorals = long wings
no keel on breast

Cubiceps capensis (Smith, 1845)

Cape Cigarfish

Body elongate, slender, soft and flexible; large eye with a fatty ring around it; mouth small, usually ends before eye; teeth small, pointed, curved, ~ 1 row on jaws, 1 row on center and sides (1-several rows) of roof of mouth, & 1 row on tongue; 7-11+1+16-20 gill rakers; 2 dorsal fins, 1st with origin behind pectoral origin, XI + I, 20-22; anal fin III, 19-22; pectoral fins long, in adults extend past anal origin, 20-24 rays; pelvic fins insert behind pectoral base; tail fin forked, with blunt tips; lateral line high along back; branched mucous canal along flank; scales moderate, smooth, 62-72 on lateral line, scales along top of head, to front edge of eye, snout with a few small scales or naked; no bony keel along breast.

Head and body dark brown to purplish black; fins blackish.

Size: 126 cm, 22 kg.

Habitat: oceanic.

Depth: 0-140 m

Circumglobal, subtropical to warm temperate; Nova Scotia to Argentina.


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Salinity
  • Marine
  • Marine Only
Inshore/Offshore
  • Offshore
  • Offshore Only
Water Column Position
  • Mid Water
  • Near Surface
  • Surface
  • Water column only
Habitat
  • Water column
FishBase Habitat
  • Pelagic
Feeding Group
  • Data
  • Planktivore
Diet
  • Data
  • Zooplankton
  • Pelagic jellyfish/ctenophores
Egg Type
  • Data
  • Pelagic
  • Pelagic larva
Global Endemism
  • All species
  • Circumtropical ( Indian + Pacific + Atlantic Oceans)
  • Greater Caribbean non-endemic
Regional Endemism
  • Also in Brazil
  • Extends N + S of GC
  • Extends North of GC
  • Extends South of GC
  • GC non-endemic
  • All species
Residency
  • Vagrant
Climate Zone
  • Subtropical (23-35N, Florida / Carolinas / Bermuda)
  • Temperate (>35N)
IUCN Red List
  • Least concern
  • Listed
CITES
  • Not listed
Length Max
  • 126
Depth Range Min
  • 0
Depth Range Max
  • 140