kurper S. Afr.
(ˈkɜːpə(r))
Also karper, kerper, kurpur.
[Afrikaans, f. Du. karper carp.]
A name used for several fresh-water fishes resembling carp, esp. Sandelia capensis.
| 1831 S. Afr. Q. Jrnl. Oct. 19 Kurper... Inhabits most of the rivers towards the Southern extremity of Africa. 1902 Trans. S. Afr. Philos. Soc. XI. 213 In an expedition to the interior, led by Surgeon Pieter van Meerhoff, we are told by him that in the space of 1½ hours they caught ‘beautiful Carp (Karper)’... This is undoubtedly the fish (Spirobranchus capensis) still called Karper in the Colony by the Dutch. 1913 C. Pettman Africanderisms 285 Kurper or Kerper... Spirobranchus capensis, a well-known fresh-water fish. See Karper. 1947 K. H. Barnard Pict. Guide S. Afr. Fishes 80 The Cape Kurper (Sandelia capensis) is a very well-known fish in the rivers and vleis of the south-west Cape... In the Eastern Province a closely allied species known as the Rockey or Bain's Kurper (Sandelia bainsii) occurs. 1952 Cape Times 31 Jan. 9/8 The casualties include yellow fish..mudfish, carp and kurpur. 1971 Sunday Times (Johannesburg) News Mag. 28 Mar. 8/5 The big kurper are found much deeper than usual. |