Fish
Natal Banksteenbras Fingerfin
Chirodactylus jessicalenorum
A vivid scarlet fingerfin with a glossy red-black blotch at the pectoral base, speared on shallow reefs from the Transkei to Sodwana.
Also known as natal bank steenbras, natal fingerfin
- Typical size
- Attains at least 50 cm
- Habitat
- Shallow rocky and coral reef
- Depth
- 3-20 m
The Natal fingerfin is instantly recognised by its scarlet colour and the shining red-black blotch at the base of the pectoral fin. It has long been confused with the duller, uniformly coloured banksteenbras, from which it is told apart by its longer soft dorsal fin. It reaches at least 50 cm.
It is a shallow-reef fish, recorded from Coffee Bay in the Transkei up to Sodwana Bay in only 3 to 20 m of water, where it is mainly taken by spearfishermen.