Fish
Jacopever
Helicolenus dactylopterus
A reddish, spiny-headed scorpionfish of deeper reef, caves and ledges, armed with venomous dorsal spines.
Also known as cape rockfish, jakop-ewer, jakopewer
- Typical size
- Commonly 25-40 cm
- Habitat
- Deeper reef ledges, caves and rubble
- Depth
- About 50-500 m
The jacopever is a robust, reddish scorpionfish armed with venomous dorsal spines and a broad, bristly head. It haunts deeper ledges, caves and rubble on the reef.
It is a slow, ambush predator that sits tight against the reef waiting for small fish and crustaceans to pass. Handle with care: the spines can deliver a painful sting, so a speared jacopever is gripped behind the head.