Species guide

How to catch Brown chub

Kyphosus bigibbus

Stylized 2D illustration of Brown chub
saltwatergame fishKyphosidae

The brown chub is a saltwater fish known for its short and deep body shape. It inhabits rocky and coral reefs around isolated seaward islands. This species feeds mainly by grazing on algae and small invertebrates and is valued as a food fish in some regions.

Where they live

Found in shallow rocky and coral reefs around exposed seaward reefs of isolated high islands in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, typically near the surface to a few meters deep.

Typical size

Up to about 75 cm

What they eat

  • algae (Sargassum)
  • algae (Turbinaria)
  • algae (Polysiphonia)
  • small crustaceans
  • worms

Best baits

  • pieces of algae
  • shrimp
  • worms

Best lures

  • soft plastic algae imitations
  • small jigs
  • flies mimicking small crustaceans

How to fish for them

  • light tackle fishing near reefs
  • casting and retrieving lures slowly
  • bottom fishing with bait near rocky areas

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