Natal mountain catfish (Amphilius natalensis)

Scientific name: Amphilius natalensis Boulenger, 1917

Natal mountain catfish (Amphilius natalensis)

The Natal mountain catfish (Amphilius natalensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Amphiliidae. Native range: 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).

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. Preyed upon by trout and is now scarce in certain streams.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Amphilius natalensis
Family
Amphiliidae (Loach catfishes)
Order
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
12.5
Environment
Freshwater; demersal
Climate
Tropical
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).
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=600)

More other freshwater fish

See all other freshwater fish

Sources

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

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