Seventy-four Polysteganus undulosus

Seventy-four are found only in South Africa, but because of over-fishing their range has shrunk to the area between Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal and the Agulhas banks. This oval-shaped fish has a silver body with blue and yellow strips along its side. Adults have a large black dot on their side, above the pectoral fin. Size and biology Seventy-four live long, reaching a maximum age of 20 years and a maximum length of 1 m. Spawning takes place from late winter to spring near offshore reefs. Habitat Adults are mostly found in large shoals on deep offshore reefs in depths of 40 to 160 m. Juveniles are also found on offshore reefs, but slightly shallower, from depths of 20 m in the Eastern and Western Cape. What do they eat? Adults feed mostly on other fish species such as sardines and mackerel, but they can also eat squid, octopus and crustaceans (crabs). Juveniles mostly eat smaller animals such as shrimps. Seventy-four were intensively fished by commercial and recreational boat-based fishers until a ban was put in place in 1998. The ban is still in effect today but there seems to be evidence of juveniles in the Eastern Cape. That’s a record 14,1 kg, caught in 1973. SASSI status The seventy-four is on the red list and is protected by law. No one in the country is allowed to catch, buy or sell one. Text Dr. Taryn Murray Sketch Elaine Heemstra © South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity According to Coastal Fishes of Southern African the Seventyfour is named for the spots and lines on its body that resemble the gun ports of a 16th century warship. – Ed