34: CALLORHINCHIDAE (ELEPHANTFISH)
33.3 Rhinochimaera atlantica: 113 cm male (redrawn after Bigelow & Schroeder, 1954).
P long and narrow; D spine smooth. Snout moderately slender in
adults, not tuberculated. Dorsal margin of C thickened in adults, with
series of enlarged denticles in males. Adult males with small frontal
clasper.
Colour uniform chocolate brown. Attains about 131 cm.
From Liideritz to Natal in 549 - 1 100 m; also scattered
records in North Atlantic. Rare, more specimens wanted.
Family No. 34: CALLORHINCHIDAE
by L.J.V. Compagno
Elephantfish
Josef
Snout elongated into a flattened, hoe-like projection.
First dorsal fin erectile, with a strong, curved, serrate spine;
second dorsal fin higher anteriorly, its base about equal to
distance from first dorsal fin; caudal fin with a raised axis;
anal fin high, the base narrow and adjoining caudal fin.
Egg-cases spindle-shaped, with broad horizontal flanges .
Bizarre, unmistakable fishes confined to cooler waters
off southern Australia, New Zealand , southern Africa and
34.1 Ca/lorhinchus capensis: 49 cm to rear of 2nd 0, male (Algoa Bay).
South America; caught close inshore to over 200 m. One
genus, Callorhinchus Lacepede, 1798 with few species, one
in our area.
Elephantfish
34.1 Callorhinchus capensis
Dumeril,1865
PLATE 5
Josef
Callorynchus capensis Dumeril, 1865: 695, PI. 13, Fig. 5 (Cape of Good
Hope) . Callorhynchus antarcticus (non Lay & Bennett): Schnackenbeck,
1931 : 44. Callorhynchus capensis: Smith, SFSA No. 95*; Poll, 1951: 151*;
Smith & Smith , 1966: 35*; van der Elst , 1981 : 33* .
Silvery with dusky brown markings, fins brown. Attains
122 cm. Confined to southern Africa, from Namibia to
Natal; rare in warmer water. Common, inshore to 200 m.
Often caught by trawls and beach seines, sometimes by
hook, and sold commercially as "silver trumpeter". Flesh
excellent especially when marinated, with no bones or
scales to worry fastidious eaters and children. A closely
related species is considered a great delicacy in Australia
and New Zealand.
147
33.3 Rhinochimaera atlantica: 113 cm male (redrawn after Bigelow & Schroeder, 1954).
P long and narrow; D spine smooth. Snout moderately slender in
adults, not tuberculated. Dorsal margin of C thickened in adults, with
series of enlarged denticles in males. Adult males with small frontal
clasper.
Colour uniform chocolate brown. Attains about 131 cm.
From Liideritz to Natal in 549 - 1 100 m; also scattered
records in North Atlantic. Rare, more specimens wanted.
Family No. 34: CALLORHINCHIDAE
by L.J.V. Compagno
Elephantfish
Josef
Snout elongated into a flattened, hoe-like projection.
First dorsal fin erectile, with a strong, curved, serrate spine;
second dorsal fin higher anteriorly, its base about equal to
distance from first dorsal fin; caudal fin with a raised axis;
anal fin high, the base narrow and adjoining caudal fin.
Egg-cases spindle-shaped, with broad horizontal flanges .
Bizarre, unmistakable fishes confined to cooler waters
off southern Australia, New Zealand , southern Africa and
34.1 Ca/lorhinchus capensis: 49 cm to rear of 2nd 0, male (Algoa Bay).
South America; caught close inshore to over 200 m. One
genus, Callorhinchus Lacepede, 1798 with few species, one
in our area.
Elephantfish
34.1 Callorhinchus capensis
Dumeril,1865
PLATE 5
Josef
Callorynchus capensis Dumeril, 1865: 695, PI. 13, Fig. 5 (Cape of Good
Hope) . Callorhynchus antarcticus (non Lay & Bennett): Schnackenbeck,
1931 : 44. Callorhynchus capensis: Smith, SFSA No. 95*; Poll, 1951: 151*;
Smith & Smith , 1966: 35*; van der Elst , 1981 : 33* .
Silvery with dusky brown markings, fins brown. Attains
122 cm. Confined to southern Africa, from Namibia to
Natal; rare in warmer water. Common, inshore to 200 m.
Often caught by trawls and beach seines, sometimes by
hook, and sold commercially as "silver trumpeter". Flesh
excellent especially when marinated, with no bones or
scales to worry fastidious eaters and children. A closely
related species is considered a great delicacy in Australia
and New Zealand.
147