Fish
False Englishman Bream
Chrysoblephus lophus
A Natal reef seabream told at a glance by the red and yellow lines painted across its bare bony forehead.
Also known as vals engelsman
- Typical size
- Attains about 50 cm
- Habitat
- Natal reefs
- Depth
- Down to about 150 m
The false englishman is a sparid seabream recognised by the red and yellow lines running across the naked bony area between its eyes, a surface that grows more corrugated and pitted with age. It was long confused with a close relative before being sorted out.
It is known only from Natal, where line fishermen and ski-boat anglers take it on reefs down to about 150 m. It spawns in spring and grows to around 50 cm.