The gaper (''Champsodon capensis'') is a species of crocodile toothfish belonging to the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Champsodontidae ''Champsodon'' is the sole genus in the family Champsodontidae. These fishes, the crocodile toothfishes, are native to the Indo-Pacific region. Species The currently recognized species in this genus are: * '' Champsodon atridorsalis'' Ochiai & ...

. It is found in the Indian Ocean along the coast of East Africa from Kenya to South Africa and off the Seychelles and Mauritius. This species has entered the Mediterranean Sea, most likely as a

Lessepsian migrant The Lessepsian migration (also called Erythrean invasion) is the migration of marine species across the Suez Canal, usually from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and more rarely in the opposite direction. When the canal was completed in 18 ...

, through the

Suez Canal The Suez Canal ( arz, قَنَاةُ ٱلسُّوَيْسِ, ') is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez and dividing Africa and Asia. The long canal is a popular ...

, being first recorded in 2012. Gapers occur in large shoals which move from deep water to the surface at night.

References

{{Taxonbar, From=Q2541939

grunter Grunters or tigerperches are ray-finned fishes in the family Terapontidae (also spelled Teraponidae, Theraponidae or Therapontidae). This family is part of the superfamily Percoidea of the order Perciformes. Characteristics The Terapontidae i ...

Fish described in 1908