The Gorgeous Two Tone Finger Fin (Chirodactylus Brachydactylus) South Africa's Own!

The 'Not Easily Caught' Endemic Twotone Fingerfin

The Twotone Fingerfin is a beautiful looking fish (As you can see by the pictures below). They are endemic to the coastal waters of Southern Africa and can be found from Maputo (Mozambique), all the way down the South African coast line to Walvis Bay. This species of South African fish can attain 60 centimeters in length and grows up to a weight of 3 kilograms. The Two Tone Finger Fin is also known as the Butter Fish and is found in coastal waters from rock pool to rocky reefs 240 metres off shore. It does, however, prefers shallower water and rocky areas... The Twotone Fingerfin mainly feeds on invertebrates and small reef organisms; Crabs are their favourite food item.

The Twotone Fingerfin (Butterfish) has never been recorded venturing into any estuarine systems and is strictly a coastal reef species. They are however found in large tidal pools with plenty of structure and white water. The Twotone Fingerfin has a similar feeding habit to that of the Spotted Grunter, where it grabs mouthfuls of sand and blows small organisms out from in between rocks. The Twotone Fingerfin becomes sexually mature when it attains a length of 25 centimeters and spawns during late spring or early summer. The fry of the Twotone Fingerfin are commonly found in the intertidal zone. The Twotone Fingerfin is a favourite fish of divers as they are very approachable!

The Butter Fish does not very easily get persuaded to take baits and therefore is not an easy species of fish to catch. Spear fisherman enjoy catching this fish... The Twotone Fingerfin is an edible fish. The South African angling record for this fish is 1.1 kilograms.

How To Catch The South African Two Tone Fingerfin

As mentioned above, the Twotone Fingerfin is not an easy species to catch. Very light tackle should be used and leader attached to your main line or braid is essential. They can prove to be very skittish around unusual structure in the water. Small hooks, nothing more than a 1/0. And your best baits for catching the Twotone Fingerfin would be Rock Worm, Mussel, Crayfish and very rarely Sardine. I have had most of my success with this fish on the Dropshot method of fishing. Camo worm or any worm imitation proves to be deadly for this beautiful South African reef fish... The Two Tone Fingerfin!

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