IDENTIFICATION
The elongate body of this fish is silver-green with a darker dorsal surface and white belly. The fins are yellow and the upper tip of the tail fin is black. Small scales cover the entire body except for a small naked patch on the lower breast.

DISTRIBUTION
Blacktip kingfish are locally distributed between Port Elizabeth and Mozambique and extend throughout the Western Indian Ocean.
The adults occur on shallow near-shore reefs and pinnacles where they often congregate in shoals. They are seldom found in turbid or estuarine water and are not very tolerant of salinity changes. The juveniles are common in clean coastal bays and large, unspoilt estuaries. They are most abundant in southern African waters in summer.

FEEDING
They feed on a variety of small fish including squirrelfish, blacktail and pinkies. Squid, shrimps and swimming crabs are also eaten.

REPRODUCTION
Few breeding fish have been recorded probably because spawning occurs in more tropical waters. Consequently little is known about the spawning or reproduction of this species.

GROWTH
These fish mature at 50 cm fork length but there is little knowledge of their growth rate. The maximum size attained in South Africa is 100 cm with a weight of 12,5 kg.

FISHERY
This fish is caught by shore anglers and ski-boat anglers, especially in northern KwaZulu-Natal and is occasionally taken by spearfishermen. It is especially prized by salt-water fly-fishing enthusiasts.

STATUS
The current status of the population is not known and little is known about their biology in South African waters. More research is required to manage this species adequately. The adults may receive some protection in the Maputaland and St Lucia Marine Reserve Sanctuary areas.

MANAGEMENT
• Categorised as a recreational species.
• Recreational and commercial fishers are allowed 5 per person per day.
• There is no size limit or closed season.
• No sale of this species is permitted.

Rudy van der Elst, Bruce Mann and Vuyiswa Radebe are acknowledged for the scientific information on which this publication is based.