Orange River mudfish (Labeo capensis) is a species of fish in genus Labeo. It inhabits the Orange River system of southern Africa.
| Orange River mudfish | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Genus: | Labeo |
| Species: | L. capensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Labeo capensis (A. Smith, 1841)
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| Synonyms | |
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Abrostomus capensis A. Smith, 1841 | |
Size edit
L. capensis reaches a maximum length of 500 mm (20 in)[2] and the SA angling record is 3.83 kg (8 lb 7 oz).[3]
Biology and ecology edit
Occurs in a variety of habitats: quiet well vegetated backwaters, standing open waters, flowing open waters, sandy-rocky stretches and rocky rapids. Their preferred habitat is flowing rocky channels. Bottom feeder which grazes algae and organic detritus.[3]
Breeds in summer, gathering in large numbers in shallow rocky rapids where eggs are laid. Larvae hatch after 3 or 4 days. May live up to 8 or 9 years.[2]
Range edit
Africa: within the drainage basin of the Orange-Vaal River system to which it is possibly restricted.[2] Introduced to the Fish River system in Eastern Cape, and the Crocodile River (West).[4]
Uses edit
Occasional angling species, also used in physiological and ecological research and is a potential commercial species.[3]
References edit
- ^ Barkhuizen, L.M; Swartz, E.R. & Impson, D. (2017). "Labeo capensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T63280A100161272. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T63280A100161272.en. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ a b c Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2006). "Labeo capensis" in FishBase. April 2006 version.
- ^ a b c Skelton, Paul H (1993). A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa. Southern book publishers. p. 178–179. ISBN 1 86812 493 2.
- ^ JH Erasmus; W Malherbe; R Gerber; OLF Weyl; B Sures; V Wepener & NJ Smit (14 Jan 2019). "First record of Labeo capensis (Smith, 1841) in the Crocodile River (West) system: another successful non-native freshwater fish introduction in South Africa". African Journal of Aquatic Science. 44 (2): 177–181. doi:10.2989/16085914.2019.1616529.
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