Meganthias natalensis (Fowler, 1925)
Gorgeous swallowtail
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Anthiadidae (Fairy basslets or Streamer basses)
Max. size:  37.4 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 88 - 219 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: records only from the Socotra Archipelago, Kenya, Mauritius, Reunion, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mozambique, and South Africa.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17-19; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-9
Biology:  Occurs in moderately deep waters, on rocky substrata on steep slopes (Ref. 120660). Piscivore (Ref. 97629).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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