Fish
Red steenbras
Petrus rupestris
The giant of the seabreams - a deep-reef heavyweight of more than two metres and 70 kg, armed with powerful canines.
Also known as copper steenbras, red steenbras bream, rooi steenbras
- Typical size
- Attains over 2 m and 70 kg
- Habitat
- Deep reefs and rocky ground, Cape to Natal
The red steenbras is usually reddish or bronzy, but over soft bottoms from Mossel Bay to Natal it can be a beautiful golden yellow. It carries four powerful canines at the front of each jaw and grows a pronounced ridge above the eye with age, reaching over 2 m and 70 kg.
It lives among reefs and rocks in deeper water from the Cape to Natal, occasionally entering deep estuaries, and becomes more solitary and territorial as it ages. It is now a heavily protected species.