Rypticus
saponaceus
(Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
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Family:
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Serranidae
(Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets), subfamily: Grammistinae
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AquaMaps |
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Order:
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Perciformes
(perch-likes)
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Class:
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Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
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In this site name:
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Greater soapfish |
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Max. size:
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35.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 26999) |
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Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 – 62 m
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Climate: |
tropical |
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Importance:
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fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial |
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Resilience: |
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) |
Distribution:
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Western Atlantic: Bermuda and southern Florida, USA to Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Mauritania to Angola, including St. Paul's Rocks (Ref. 13121), Cape Verde, St. Helena and Ascension islands. One record from Cape of Good Hope, South Africa (Ref. 7320).
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Morphology:
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Dorsal
spines
(total): 3 - 3;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 23 - 25. Pale spots about the size of the pupil or smaller on body and some on dorsal fin (Ref. 13442).
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Biology: |
A solitary species (Ref. 26340) inhabiting shallow water on bottoms with eroded limestone or mixed sand and rocks, as well as around reefs. Often found lying motionless against rocks (Ref. 13121). Secretes copious mucus which makes its surface slimy and when disturbed the slime turns into a soapy foam. The mucus has been shown to contain a toxic protein (Ref. 3632). Nocturnal, frequently seen around the bases of coral colonies and near mouths of caves (Ref. 26938).
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Red List Status: |
Not in IUCN Red List (Ref. 57073)
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Dangerous:
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other
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Coordinator: |
Heemstra, Phillip C.
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