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Amphilius natalensis Boulenger, 1917

Image contributors to this species:

Russell Brian Tate (4)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

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. Breeds in summer. Iteroparous, with asynchronous ovarian development. Preyed upon by trout and is now scarce in certain streams. Colour: 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.

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:

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.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2019. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 12/2019 ).
Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Seegers, Lothar; The Catfishes of Africa. A handbook for identification and maintenance. Tetra Verlag GmbH. 604p.

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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