Eggs and larvae of the santer Cheimerius nufar (Perciformes: Sparidae) from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

The santer Cheimerius nufar is a common reef fish on the east coast of South Africa and a popular target for offshore anglers. The eggs and larvae are described from specimens reared in the laboratory, from aquarium-spawned eggs and eggs collected at sea. Comparisons with eggs and larvae of other local sparids are made and data are presented on the seasonal occurrence of santer eggs in plankton samples.