Brown chub – Kyphosus bigibbus

Brown chub, Brown Chub, Grey Chub, Grey Drummer, Darkfin Drummer, Insular Rudderfish, Grey Sea Chub, Southern Drummer, Topsail Drummer, Kyphosus bigibbus
Size: 75 cm
Depth: 2 - 40 m

American Samoa, Andaman and Nicobar, Ascension Island, Australia, Bonaire, China, Cook Islands, Egypt, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mozambique, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Reunion Island, Samoa, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Tanzania, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Vietnam, Yemen

Arabian Sea, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Sea of Japan, South China Sea, Yellow Sea

The Brown Chub, Grey Chub, Grey Drummer, Darkfin Drummer, Insular Rudderfish, Grey Sea Chub, Southern Drummer, Topsail Drummer (Kyphosus bigibbus) is a species of fish commonly found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. This fish is known for its distinctive body shape and coloration, and is a popular target for anglers in many regions.

Description & Characteristics

Kyphosus bigibbus is a relatively large fish, with individuals reaching a maximum size of 75.0 cm. The species is characterized by its deep, compressed body, which is typically brown or grey in color, sometimes with darker markings. The fish has a distinctive, protruding snout, and its dorsal fin is long and continuous, with a slightly raised crest.

Habitat and Occurrence

Kyphosus bigibbus is a common inhabitant of rocky reefs and coral reefs, where it often seeks shelter in crevices and caves. The species prefers waters with moderate currents and clear visibility, and can be found at depths ranging from the intertidal zone to around 100 meters. It is a prevalent presence in temperate and tropical waters, including the Indo-Pacific region, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the eastern Atlantic Ocean. These waters represent various marine zones including the Neritic Zone (the shallow waters over the continental shelf) and the Oceanic Zone (the open ocean).

Taxonomy

The species Kyphosus bigibbus belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Centrarchiformes, and Family: Kyphosidae. This classification places the fish within a group of bony fishes characterized by their distinctive body shapes and feeding habits. The Kyphosidae family includes several species of fish that are commonly known as “drummers” due to the sounds they produce when they swim.

Feeding

Kyphosus bigibbus is a herbivorous fish, primarily feeding on algae, including seaweeds, benthic algae, and phytoplankton. Its diet also includes small invertebrates such as crustaceans, polychaetes, and molluscs. The fish is typically found grazing on reefs and seagrass beds, playing a role in maintaining the ecological balance of these habitats.

Associated Species

Image References

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