About Pachymetopon blochii (Valenciennes, 1830)
Pachymetopon blochii (Valenciennes, 1830) is a fish species with a bronzy grey body and darker fins. Its small mouth holds five rows of incisors in both the upper and lower jaw, and it has no molars. Mature adults are typically around 25 cm long at maturity, though they can grow as large as 54 cm. The maximum recorded weight for this species is 2.67 kg. This species is found in the southeastern Atlantic, ranging from Angola to Cape Agulhas at the southern tip of South Africa. Vagrant individuals have been recorded as far east as the mouth of the Tsitsikamma River. It inhabits kelp beds on shallow rocky reefs, as well as blinders, subtidal reefs, and offshore pinnacles in deeper waters up to 55 m. Juveniles of this species are only found in kelp beds. Pachymetopon blochii is a generalist feeder that consumes seaweeds, algae, crustaceans, worms, molluscs, and sea urchins, and will occasionally eat small fish. It can spawn throughout the entire year, with spawning peaks occurring in summer and winter. Most individuals live to around 12 years of age, but in rare cases they can reach up to 21 years old. The average generation length of this species is approximately 9 years. It is a frequent host for the parasitic isopod Anilocra capensis.
