Fish
Black musselcracker
Cymatoceps nasutus
The poenskop - a slow-growing, powerful reef bruiser that develops a fleshy nose and tops 45 kg.
Also known as black musselcracker bream, black steenbras, poenskop
- Typical size
- Attains over 45 kg and about 130 cm
- Habitat
- Rocky reefs, Cape to Natal
Adult black musselcracker develop a large fleshy "nose", the origin of the Afrikaans name poenskop. It is a solitary, sluggish but very powerful reef fish that is not uncommon in all sizes up to about 20 kg and attains over 45 kg and around 130 cm.
Nowhere abundant, it frequents rocky areas from the Cape to Natal. Its slow growth and late maturity make it especially vulnerable, and it is a prized but carefully regulated catch.