Scientific Name
Amphilius natalensis

Common Name
Natal mountain catfish

Biology
Occurs among cobbles and rocks in swiftly flowing water. Active at night, feeding on benthic stream invertebrates such as mayfly and midge larvae. Breeds in summer. Iteroparous, with asynchronous ovarian development (Ref. 51405). Preyed upon by trout and is now scarce in certain streams (Ref. 7248).

Classification

Classified By

Boulenger, 1917

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Loach catfishes (Amphiliidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Ruo River, Zambezi system in Malawi south to Umkomaas River in Natal, South Africa. Also known from the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe (lower Zambezi) (Ref. 7248).

Range

15°S - 29°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal

Trophic Level

3.2 s.e. 0.40 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

12.5 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (38 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=600)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)