Snapper Kob

(Otolithes ruber)

Source: http://sacoast.uwc.ac.za/education/resources/fishyfacts/snapperkob.htm

Snapper Kob have a distinctive elongated body. Coloration is bronze red above and silvery to white below. Live fish have a striking quot;mother-of-pearl" sheen along the dorsal surface and upper body. Snapper Kob are easily distinguished from the other Kob species by their fang-like canines at the front of the bottom jaw. They seldom reach more than 600mm or 1,6kg.

Distribution

Snapper Kob are found from the eastern seaboard of KwaZulu-Natal northwards. They occur here predominantly in summer and can be very common off Durban's beachfront. The snapper is a shoaling fish of coastal waters, sheltered bays and large estuarine systems. it is tolerant of turbid waters and is able to withstand widely ranging salinities.

Feeding

Snapper Kob are sluggish carnivores, and fees opportunistically on whatever prey is plentiful at the time including squid, mantis shrimps and small prawns.

Reproduction

Snapper Kob reach sexual maturity at about 250mm total length. Spawning occurs during spring and summer.

Growth

No research has been done on the growth of this species in South Africa but in Mozambique waters, snapper kob have been aged up to a maximum of 8 years.

Fishery

Snapper Kob are frequently caught by anglers, especially paddle-ski and light tackle enthusiasts. at times large numbers are caught by the seine netters off Vetch's Pier and they are occasionally caught as a by-catch in the prawn trawling industry on the Tugela Banks.

Management

• No Minimum size 

• Bag limit of 10 per person per day for recreational and subsistence anglers

• Unrestricted bag limit for commercial fishermen

• Categorised as an exploitable species