Gaper (fish)

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Gaper
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Trachiniformes
Family: Champsodontidae
Genus: Champsodon
Species:
C. capensis
Binomial name
Champsodon capensis
Regan, 1908

The gaper (Champsodon capensis) is a species of crocodile toothfish belonging to the family Champsodontidae. It is found in the Indian Ocean along the coast of East Africa from Kenya to South Africa and off the Seychelles and Mauritius. [2] This species has entered the Mediterranean Sea, most likely as a Lessepsian migrant, through the Suez Canal, being first recorded in 2012. [3] Gapers occur in large shoals which move from deep water to the surface at night. [2]

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References

  1. Starnes, W.C. (2010). "Champsodon capensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010: e.T155084A4695047. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T155084A4695047.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Champsodon capensis" in FishBase . December 2019 version.
  3. Cem Dalyan; Emre Yemisken & L. Eryılmaz (2012). "A new record of gaper (Champsodon capensis Regan, 1908) in the Mediterranean Sea". Journal of Applied Ichthyology. 28 (5): 834–835. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0426.2012.02019.x.