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Amphilius natalensis Boulenger, 1917

Image contributors to this species:

Russell Brian Tate (4)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Habitat: Amphilius natalensis occurs among cobbles and rocks in swiftly flowing water. Active at night, feeding on benthic stream invertebrates such as mayfly and midge larvae. Reproduction: Breeds in summer. Iteroparous, with asynchronous ovarian development. Colouration: Some individuals are uniform olive-brown dorsally, others have an intense dark spotting superimposed (Jubb, 1976). Aquarium Care: Can be kept in aquaria with a small grained gravel or sand substrate, and well planted with a slight current to facilitate their natural habitat. Provide rockwork and caves. This genera prefer cooler temperatures in the aquarium. Diet: Mosquito larvae, Tubifex, Cyclops, Daphnia, grindal worms, vegetable food, tablet and flake. Etymology: The specific name natalensis: Named after the the Province of Natal in South Africa. Remarks: Preyed upon by trout and is now scarce in certain streams.

Common Name:

Natal mountain catfish

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Amphiliidae

Distribution:

Africa: Ruo River, Malawi; Zambezi system of Zimbabwe, south to Umkomaas River (Natal, South Africa). Type locality: Krantz Kloof, Natal.

Size:

12.5cm (5ins)

Temp:

20-24°c (67-75°f.)

p.H.

6.5-7.5.

Reference:

Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2019. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 12/2019 ).
Seegers, Lothar; The Catfishes of Africa. A handbook for identification and maintenance. Tetra Verlag GmbH. 604p.
Skelton, P.H. and G.G. Teugels, 1986. Amphiliidae. p. 54-65. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 2.

Family: Amphiliidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Amphilius natalensis
From Bushmans River (Tugela System), South Africa.

Amphilius natalensis
Dorsal view-from Bushmans River (Tugela System), South Africa.

Amphilius natalensis
Ventral view-from Bushmans River (Tugela System), South Africa.

Amphilius natalensis
Habitat location

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