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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.

IUCN Red List

This species as currently described has three discrete and geographically widely spaced populations that can be broadly divided into southern (the uMkhomazi, uMgeni, Tugela and the Inkomati river systems in South Africa), central (the Buzi and Pungwe river systems) and northern (Ruo River in Malawi) populations. An ongoing study has revealed that these three populations represent at least four distinct lineages. Non-native species, particularly trout, have been introduced into the cool mountain tributaries where these fishes occur, but their actual impact require investigation. Native vegetation in the upper catchments of a number of the streams has also been replaced with monoculture plantations, while agricultural activities (particularly in the Buzi, Pungwe and Ruo catchments) have caused habitat degradation through increased sedimentation and water turbidity. Populations within the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe (Pungwe and Buzi catchements) are further threatened by gold panning activities which have degraded instream habitats through increased turbidity and deposition of fine sediments which reduces habitat complexity. This species has many localised threats, however because of its large distribution, with an estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) of 485,198 km² and an estimated area of occupancy (AOO) of 756 km² it does not trigger any of the threat categories. The species is classified as Least Concern, however, there is urgent need to resolve its taxonomy, as many smaller populations may represent restricted species (IUCN 2018).

Reference:

Chakona, A. & Mazungula, N. 2018. Amphilius natalensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018.
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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