Dageraad
Chrysoblephus cristiceps
Photo: Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA
Overview
Chrysoblephus cristiceps, the daggerhead seabream or dageraad, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, the seabreams and porgies. This fish is endemic to the southwestern Indian Ocean and southeastern Atlantic Ocean off South Africa. This species is assessed as being Critically Endangered bt the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Chrysoblephus cristiceps faces severe population decline primarily due to intensive commercial and recreational fishing pressure throughout its limited South African range. The species' slow growth rate, late sexual maturity, and naturally small population size make it extremely vulnerable to overexploitation. Habitat degradation from coastal development and pollution in nearshore rocky reef environments has further reduced available spawning and nursery areas.
Habitat
This endemic South African marine fish inhabits rocky reefs and kelp forests in temperate coastal waters, typically found at depths of 5-100 meters along the southwestern Cape coast. The species prefers areas with complex rocky substrates that provide shelter and feeding opportunities among algae-covered reefs.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in SPARIDAE
Threatened in Comoros
Frequently asked questions
Why is Dageraad classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Dageraad live?
What are the main threats to Dageraad?
Get weekly conservation intelligence
One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.
Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.