John Brown

Gymnocrotaphus curvidens

John Brown, scientifically known as Gymnocrotaphus curvidens, is a distinctive reef fish found exclusively along the South African coast, from False Bay to Port St. Johns. Divers can identify this species by its coppery brown body, which fades quickly after capture, leaving orange lines along the scale rows. The head is bluish grey with deep blue eyes. Its body is plump and deep, fitting into its standard length approximately 2.3 times. Notably, the head is mostly naked, except for some scales on the gill cover, and it features a band of curved incisor-like teeth in each jaw, followed by smaller conical and molar-like teeth inside. This fish inhabits shallow rocky reefs and can be found at depths ranging from 1 to 80 meters. John Brown is a sedentary species, often seen hiding in crevices and overhangs. It is an omnivore, feeding on a varied diet that includes sea squirts, bryozoans, polychaetes, algae, and crustaceans. Divers encountering John Brown will find it to be a harmless presence on the reef, often staying close to its preferred rocky habitat. It is considered to be of least concern by the IUCN, thanks to effective protection measures within no-take marine protected areas throughout its range.