As South Africans, we wear our heritage with pride, from our languages to our landscapes. While the Big Five take the spotlight on land, there’s an equally remarkable group of animals beneath the waves.
Image: Supplied
This Heritage Month, the Two Oceans Aquarium is celebrating some of the ocean’s “proudly South African” species: Red stumpnose, galjoen, and South African butterflyfish.
From kelp forest to rocky shore, these fish have tales to tell.
Red stumpnose
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With their powerful jaws and striking colouring, the red stumpnose is an iconic South African fish. Their most distinctive feature, though, is their bulbous foreheads that grow even more pronounced in males as they age.
Red stumpnose are endemic to South Africa, meaning they live nowhere else in the world. Known locally as Miss Lucy, these fish were once a line fishing staple. Unfortunately, this popularity caused a serious population decline – they are classified as endangered on the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species. Now, strict measures like size and catch limits have allowed them to somewhat recover.
At the Two Oceans Aquarium, red stumpnose glide through the Kelp Forest Exhibit as ambassadors for their species. Visitors can see these iconic fish up close and learn more about them. Red stumpnose are a reminder that South Africa’s natural heritage relies on our care and respect to flourish.
Galjoen
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Every country has a national bird, flower, or tree, but very few can boast a national fish like South Africa. Galjoen, which thrive in rough surf that would deter most other fish, are a symbol of our national zest for life.
The suggestion to make the galjoen the national fish of South Africa was first put forward by Margaret Smith. She wanted to find the marine equivalent of the springbok: A uniquely South African animal that was as iconic as it was special. Galjoen were the perfect fit: Endemic to the rocky shores between Namibia and the Eastern Cape, it is believed that galjoen were the first South African marine species to be identified as endemic.
Being South Africa’s national fish comes with an important job as ambassadors for responsible marine stewardship. Galjoen, whose nearshore habitats made them easy targets, were historically overfished and are now listed as a red species by WWF’s South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative. At the Two Oceans Aquarium, a pair of galjoen call the Kelp Forest Exhibit home, teaching a poignant lesson on preserving heritage for future generations.
South African butterflyfish
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Dainty and dazzling, the South African butterflyfish is a common sight in the warmer waters along our east coast. They stand out amongst the crowd with their vibrant yellow bodies, bold stripes, and black “eye spot” designed to confuse predators.
They’re often seen in pairs or groups, flitting gracefully between corals and rocky outcrops. They may be small, but they play a big role in the reef ecosystem – feeding on invertebrates and helping to keep coral communities in balance. While not endangered, their limited habitat leaves them vulnerable to habitat degradation, climate change, and pollution.
Interestingly, this is the only butterflyfish species to be found in both the Indian and the Atlantic Oceans, making it the perfect representative for the Two Oceans Aquarium. Visitors can spot these striking little fish darting around the Octopus Exhibit, showcasing the fragile beauty and importance of South Africa’s lesser-known underwater heritage.
Celebrating our living heritage
South Africa’s marine environment is one of the most unique in the world. The southern tip of the continent is the meeting place of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, blessing South Africa with a rich variety of life that exists nowhere else.
Yet this diversity is threatened by overfishing, plastic pollution, climate change, and habitat loss that take a toll on our incredible endemic species. That’s why the Two Oceans Aquarium showcases the beauty and diversity of the oceans off southern Africa – each exhibit encourages love, respect, and understanding of our oceans, so people are motivated to act for their future well-being and to use natural resources sustainably.
Every visit supports marine education, conservation research, and awareness campaigns aimed at building a more ocean-literate South Africa. It’s a place where science meets storytelling, and where the future of our oceans is shaped one curious mind at a time.
This Heritage Month, look beyond the land and into the ocean, where you can explore the vibrant heritage beneath the surface. Whether it’s the commanding presence of the red stumpnose, the iconic spirit of the galjoen, or the quiet grace of the butterflyfish, each of these species reminds us of who we are as South Africans and what we need to protect.
After all, heritage is not just what we inherit. It’s what we protect for the generations to come.
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