Lophius vomerinus, the devil anglerfish, Cape monk or Cape monkfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the familyLophiidae. It is endemic to the waters of the southeastern Atlantic and the southwestern Indian Ocean, around Southern Africa.
The specific namevomerinus means "vomerine", referring to the lack of teeth on the vomer (although this appears to be an age-related feature).[5]
Description
Lophius vomerinus has six dorsal spines, three on the head and three to the rear of the head. The second dorsal fin contains 9 or 10 soft rays. The anal fin contains 9 soft rays. The illicium has a simple pennant-like esca. The overall color is dark brown on the upper body and pale on the lower body. The large pectoral fins are darker towards their tips on their upper surface, pale on the lower surface with a dark brown band covering the outer third.[6] This species has a maximum published total length of 100cm (39in), although 50cm (20in) is more typical.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Lophius vomerinus is endemic to the coasts of southern Africa, where its range extends from north of the Walvis Ridge off Namibia in the southeastern Atlantic Ocean to KwaZulu-Natal and Madagascar in the southeastern Indian Ocean.[6] It is a bathydemersal species found on the deeper areas of the continental shelf and on the upper continental slope, over soft bottoms and at depths of 150–400m (490–1,310ft).[2]
Fisheries and conservation
Lophius vomerinus is an important target species for commercial fisheries in Namibia. The current rate of landing is in excess of that which is considered sustainable. The IUCN classifies the Cape monk as Near Threatened, as the decline in population is not high enough for it to be of higher conservation concern.[1]
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