Red Steenbras
CR

Red Steenbras

Petrus rupestris

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_steenbras

Overview

The red steenbras is a species of fish in the family Sparidae and the only known member of the monospecific genus Petrus. This species is endemic to South Africa. The species' population has been depleted by overfishing in African waters and it has been classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Petrus rupestris faces severe threats from limestone quarrying and mining activities that directly destroy its specialized rocky habitat. The species' extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, while invasive plant species alter the microhabitat conditions essential for its survival. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that affect the moisture regimes of its rocky crevice environment.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits limestone rock crevices and cliff faces in mountainous regions, requiring specific moisture and temperature conditions found in these specialized rocky microhabitats. It is typically found in areas with natural limestone formations that provide the precise environmental conditions necessary for its survival.

Rocky areas· majorMarine neritic· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionAwareness & communicationsCompliance and enforcement

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Humped BladderwortCR

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Red Steenbras classified as Critically Endangered?
Red Steenbras is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Petrus rupestris faces severe threats from limestone quarrying and mining activities that directly destroy its specialized rocky habitat. The species' extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, while invasive plant species alter the microhabitat conditions essential for its survival. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that affect the moisture regimes of its rocky crevice environment.
Where does Red Steenbras live?
Red Steenbras occurs in Gambia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, and South Africa (plus 1 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Red Steenbras?
The main threats to Red Steenbras are 5.1, 5.1.1, 5.3, and 5.4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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