Fish
Roman
Chrysoblephus laticeps
A striking reddish-orange reef seabream endemic to South Africa, instantly known by the white patch on its flank.
Also known as red roman, red roman bream, slinger
- Typical size
- Attains at least 50 cm
- Habitat
- Resident on rocky reefs and cave structure
The roman is one of the most recognisable fish on Eastern and Western Cape reefs - usually a deep reddish orange, though a blue colour form also occurs, and both show a pale patch on the side. It is a slow-growing, resident reef fish that reaches at least 50 cm.
Like several of its relatives, the roman is protogynous: individuals mature first as females and later change into males, so the larger fish on a reef are typically the older males. It hangs close to rocky reef and cave structure, which is exactly where divers tend to meet it.