Cortez chub (Kyphosus elegans)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Kyphosus elegans
- Common name
- Cortez chub
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Kyphosidae
- Genus
- Kyphosus
- Size
- 30–70 cm
- Depth
- 3–30 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- schooling, grazer
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Kyphosus elegans reaches 70 cm. Eastern Pacific Kyphosus with high oval silver-gray-blue body with subtle thin golden-yellow longitudinal lines on flanks, small head. Lives in schools from 3 to 30 m around emerged rocks, buoys and drop-offs from Gulf of California to Peru. Herbivore grazing algae. Eastern Pacific cousin of Macaronesia Kyphosus (K. sectatrix batch 10) and Indo-Pacific (K. vaigiensis batch 17). Wide-angle photo subject for cohesive schools above pinnacles. Moderate edible flesh.
Photo of Cortez chub
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Cortez chub?
- Cortez chub (Kyphosus elegans) reaches 30–70 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Cortez chub?
- Cortez chub is found between 3–30 m deep.
- Is the Cortez chub dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Cortez chub?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Cortez chub?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Kyphosus
Other species in the family Kyphosidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 273521)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2381297)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia