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Centrarchiformes (Basses) >
Cheilodactylidae (Morwongs)
Etymology: Cheilodactylus: Greek, cheilos = lip + Greek, daktylos = finger (Ref. 45335); referring to the fleshy lips and the lower, unbranched pectoral-fin rays (Ref. 120445).
More on author: Lacepède.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 1 - 120 m (Ref. 120445). Subtropical
Southeast Atlantic: Namibia to Natal, South Africa.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 30.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9492); common length : 20.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9492)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Mainly in shallow water among rocks, but sometimes caught down to 120 m depth. Feeds on small crabs, mollusks, worms, and other small invertebrates (Ref. 9492). Tidepools apparently an important nursery habitat for juveniles (Ref. 120445),
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Smith, M.M., 1986. Cheilodactylidae. p. 667-668. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. (Ref. 5319)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries
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