Kingklip
Photo by Andrew Taylor
This photo, taken by Andrew on one of the Smitswinkel bay wrecks, caused quite a debate one evening. Initially SURG thought it was a conger eel - having seen some before in shallow water, and looking at photos of it, the identification seemed certain enough. But Andrew and others believed it was a kingklip, partially because somebody managed to catch one unintentionally, as it had hidden in a pipe brought to the surface. The debate raged on until Andrew happened to mention the fish had "barbels" - and this is something the conger eel definitely does not have, but the kingklip does. The "barbels" are actually not barbels, but modified pelvic fins, and are unfortunately not visible on the photo.
Kingklip, a favourite fish on restaurant menus, grows to over 1.5m in length. Such large fish are normally only found in depths greater than 50m, and it is only younger, and smaller, individuals which are now and then found in shallower water, like this one.
Two Oceans, A guide to the marine life of Southern Africa, GM Branch, CL Griffiths, ML Branch and LE Beckley, 1994.
A Guide to Common Sea Fishes of Southern Africa, R vd Elst, 1988.