White steenbras

Biology

The adult white steenbras inhabits inshore marine environments with sandy and rocky bottoms, being able to enter shallow water lagoons. Even though reproduction occurs at the sea, the juveniles gather in estuaries where they stay for about three years. This fish has a remarkable hunting strategy: to catch shrimps, worms and small crabs, the white steenbras blows a strong jet of water into the burrow in which the animal lives, making them leave it.

Conservation

As a species that has a strong connection to and dependence on its development site, and one that has a small home range, the white steenbras is a fish very vulnerable to habitat destruction.

Curiosities

The crossbars that it shows in its silvery body fade with age.