Fish Species

Scientific name: Lepidopus caudatus
Other/Common names: Buttersnoek, Silver Scabbardfish, Ribbon Fish

Distribution: South Western Cape and the Agulhas Bank, but also found in temperate seas all over the world – especially in Portugal, Morocco and New Zealand.

Growing up to 2m in length, this is a slender, ribbon-like fish with a long tapering body and a small forked fin. Because of its scaleless body, Buttersnoek's bright silver colour shows up even more prominently.

It prefers sandy, muddy seabeds, and is mostly found at depths of 100 to 250m. A schooling species, Buttersnoek feeds on crustaceans, small squid and fish.

Popular for its excellent quality flesh, it's an important commercial fishing species.