Incomati suckermouth (Chiloglanis bifurcus)

Scientific name: Chiloglanis bifurcus Jubb & Le Roux, 1969

The Incomati suckermouth (Chiloglanis bifurcus) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae. Native range: Africa, endemic to the Crocodile-Incomati system.

Biology

Occurs in rocky rapids and cascades in altitudes of 900-1,200 m. Prefers deeper waters (30-60 cm) over cobbles. Feeds on benthic invertebrates such as mayfly and caddis fly nymphs, blackfly and midge larvae and small snails. Oviparous. Breeds during summer and is a partial spawner. Increasing extraction and regulation of river water as well as pollution threaten this species.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Chiloglanis bifurcus
Family
Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes)
Order
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
6.8
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Africa: endemic to the Crocodile-Incomati system.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Endangered (EN) (B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v))
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=250-300)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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