151: APLOACfINIDAE (VELVETFISHES)
Genus Cocotropus Kaup, 1858
Ten species; 1 in southern Africa.
151.1 Cocotropus monacanthus
(Gilchrist, 1.906)
Roughskin scorpionfish
Ruvel-skerpioenvis
rltraroge monacanthus Gilchrist, 1906: 145, PI. 37 (coast of Natal).
Coccotropus monacanthus: Smith, SFSA No. 1029*; 1958: 168*.
D XII-XIII,9-1O; A 1,7-8; P 12-13; LL 10-12; GR (0- 1)+(4-6). Depth
2.7-3.4; head 2.6-2.9; predorsal 5.9-6.2. Head and body covered with
modified scales, each forming a spinous point. Lachrymal bone with 2
blunt spines.
Colour in life unknown. Known only from 4 specimens
(largest 38 mm) from off Natal and 1 from off Tanzania.
151.1 Cocotropus monacanthus: 3 em holotype and dorsal view of head
(off Natal).
Genus Ptarmus Smith, 1947
Two species; 1 in southern Africa. P. gallus (Kossman &
Rauber, 1877) is endemic to the Red Sea; it has fewer LL
scales and 10 Prays.
151.2 Ptarmus jubatus
(Smith, 1935)
Crested scorpionfish
Kuif-skerpioenvis
Coccotropus jubatus Smith, 1935: 223, PI. 19, Fig. B (Natal). Ptarmus
languidus Smith, 1947: 816 (Inhaca Id.). Ptarmus gallus (non Kossman &
Rauber): Smith, 1958: 167*; Smith, 1961: 571, No. 1030. Ptarmus jubatus:
Smith, SFSA No. 1030*.
151.2 Ptarmus jubatus: 8 em (Inhaea Id.).
480
D XIV-XVI,7-9; A 11,6-7; P 9; LL 8-11; GR (0-3)+(5-7). Depth
2.3-2.4; head 2.4-2.8; predorsal 6.2-7.7. Scales absent, except for LL.
Lachrymal bone with 2 small rather sharp spines.
Colour in life light brown to nearly black. Attains 85 mm.
Inshore in weedy areas along Natal coast northward to
Porto Amelia, Mozambique.
Family No. 152: CONGIOPODIDAE
byS. Poss
Horsefishes
Perdvisse
Body compressed, snout notably pronounced, strongly
so in some species. A single nostril on each side. Gill openings reduced to a small slit; anal spines weak and head partly
armed with bony plates in ~ll but one Australian species.
Vertebrae 30-39.
About 10 species confined to cool waters of the southern
hemisphere. Four genera, 1 in southern Africa.
Genus Congiopodus Perry, 1811
Six species; both of our species are endemic to southern
Africa.
KEY TO SPECIES
la No spines on snout above mouth; LL obscure;
A rays 7-8 .............................................................. C. torvus
lb Snout with spines above mouth; LL with 19-25
scales; A rays 9-10 ................................................. C. spinifer
152.1 Congiopodus spinifer
(Smith, 1839)
PLATE 29
Spinenose horsefish
Stekelneus-perdvis
Agriopus spinifer Smith, 1839, PI. 3 + text (South Africa). Congiopodus spinifer: Smith, 1961: No. 1059*; Smith & Smith, 1966: 136*.
D XIX-XXI,11-14; A 9-10; P 9; LL 19-25; GR 8-9. Depth 3.0-3.2; head
3.4-3.7; predorsaI5.0-5.3. P longer than V. Spine on nasal bone; 3 spines
on lachrymal bone above mouth. Skin rough, covered with modified
scales that form spinous points.
Body brown, with irregular light spots, paler below.
Young pale brown, with irregular brown markings. Attains
35 cm. Taken at depths of 55 - 146 m from Walvis Bay to
Natal. At times taken in numbers by trawlers. Flesh edible
but rarely eaten.
152.2 Congiopodus torvus
(Gronovius, 1772)
PLATE 29
Smooth horsefish
Gladde perdvis
Blennius torvus Gronovius, 1772: 47, PI. 3 (Indian Ocean). Congiopodus torvus: Smith, SFSA No. 1060*; Wheeler, 1958: 239*; Smith &
Smith, 1966: 136*; Karrer, 1973: 243.
Genus Cocotropus Kaup, 1858
Ten species; 1 in southern Africa.
151.1 Cocotropus monacanthus
(Gilchrist, 1.906)
Roughskin scorpionfish
Ruvel-skerpioenvis
rltraroge monacanthus Gilchrist, 1906: 145, PI. 37 (coast of Natal).
Coccotropus monacanthus: Smith, SFSA No. 1029*; 1958: 168*.
D XII-XIII,9-1O; A 1,7-8; P 12-13; LL 10-12; GR (0- 1)+(4-6). Depth
2.7-3.4; head 2.6-2.9; predorsal 5.9-6.2. Head and body covered with
modified scales, each forming a spinous point. Lachrymal bone with 2
blunt spines.
Colour in life unknown. Known only from 4 specimens
(largest 38 mm) from off Natal and 1 from off Tanzania.
151.1 Cocotropus monacanthus: 3 em holotype and dorsal view of head
(off Natal).
Genus Ptarmus Smith, 1947
Two species; 1 in southern Africa. P. gallus (Kossman &
Rauber, 1877) is endemic to the Red Sea; it has fewer LL
scales and 10 Prays.
151.2 Ptarmus jubatus
(Smith, 1935)
Crested scorpionfish
Kuif-skerpioenvis
Coccotropus jubatus Smith, 1935: 223, PI. 19, Fig. B (Natal). Ptarmus
languidus Smith, 1947: 816 (Inhaca Id.). Ptarmus gallus (non Kossman &
Rauber): Smith, 1958: 167*; Smith, 1961: 571, No. 1030. Ptarmus jubatus:
Smith, SFSA No. 1030*.
151.2 Ptarmus jubatus: 8 em (Inhaea Id.).
480
D XIV-XVI,7-9; A 11,6-7; P 9; LL 8-11; GR (0-3)+(5-7). Depth
2.3-2.4; head 2.4-2.8; predorsal 6.2-7.7. Scales absent, except for LL.
Lachrymal bone with 2 small rather sharp spines.
Colour in life light brown to nearly black. Attains 85 mm.
Inshore in weedy areas along Natal coast northward to
Porto Amelia, Mozambique.
Family No. 152: CONGIOPODIDAE
byS. Poss
Horsefishes
Perdvisse
Body compressed, snout notably pronounced, strongly
so in some species. A single nostril on each side. Gill openings reduced to a small slit; anal spines weak and head partly
armed with bony plates in ~ll but one Australian species.
Vertebrae 30-39.
About 10 species confined to cool waters of the southern
hemisphere. Four genera, 1 in southern Africa.
Genus Congiopodus Perry, 1811
Six species; both of our species are endemic to southern
Africa.
KEY TO SPECIES
la No spines on snout above mouth; LL obscure;
A rays 7-8 .............................................................. C. torvus
lb Snout with spines above mouth; LL with 19-25
scales; A rays 9-10 ................................................. C. spinifer
152.1 Congiopodus spinifer
(Smith, 1839)
PLATE 29
Spinenose horsefish
Stekelneus-perdvis
Agriopus spinifer Smith, 1839, PI. 3 + text (South Africa). Congiopodus spinifer: Smith, 1961: No. 1059*; Smith & Smith, 1966: 136*.
D XIX-XXI,11-14; A 9-10; P 9; LL 19-25; GR 8-9. Depth 3.0-3.2; head
3.4-3.7; predorsaI5.0-5.3. P longer than V. Spine on nasal bone; 3 spines
on lachrymal bone above mouth. Skin rough, covered with modified
scales that form spinous points.
Body brown, with irregular light spots, paler below.
Young pale brown, with irregular brown markings. Attains
35 cm. Taken at depths of 55 - 146 m from Walvis Bay to
Natal. At times taken in numbers by trawlers. Flesh edible
but rarely eaten.
152.2 Congiopodus torvus
(Gronovius, 1772)
PLATE 29
Smooth horsefish
Gladde perdvis
Blennius torvus Gronovius, 1772: 47, PI. 3 (Indian Ocean). Congiopodus torvus: Smith, SFSA No. 1060*; Wheeler, 1958: 239*; Smith &
Smith, 1966: 136*; Karrer, 1973: 243.