Scientific Name
Peristedion cataphractum

Common Name
African armoured searobin

Biology
Depth range from 50-600 m (Ref. 10780) and from 288-848 m in the eastern Ionian Sea (Ref. 56504). Gregarious. Occurs on muddy or rocky bottoms of the shelf. Digs the mud with its rostrum, searching for prey; stands and walks on the bottom with its free pectoral rays. After a pelagic existence, the juveniles live in coastal waters before migrating to deeper waters (Ref. 6556). Minimum depth range taken from Ref. 27000.

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)

Family

Armored searobins or armored gurnards (Peristediidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Atlantic

Distribution

Eastern Atlantic: British Isles and English Channel to Angola, including the Mediterranean.

Range

52°N - 15°S, 18°W - 36°E

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

50 m

Depth To - meters

848 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range 50 - 848 m (Ref. 56504), usually ? - 150 m (Ref. 10780)

Trophic Level

3.55 s.e. 0.43 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

40.0 cm

Common Length

18.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: subsistence fisheries

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (38 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated