Common in the cool waters of mountain streams. Feeds on the biocover of rocks and grazes on algae (Ref. 5595). Oviparous (Ref. 205).

A Chiloglanis species complex is known from Lake Malawi and its catchment area, Shire River and its tributaries, Lake Chiuta. However the only correct known locality is the type locality, This species is known from upper Ububu River, Tanzania.

Africa: Limpopo River system, Cunene, Kafue, Zambezi (above and below Victoria Falls), Okavango, Upper Congo River basin in Zambia, Lake Malawi and Lake Kariba (Ref. 3202). Also known from the Pungwe and Buzi systems and east coast rivers in Tanzania (Ref. 7248). Several undetermined Chiloglanis populations from East and Central as well as South Africa have been assigned to this species, although it is only inadequately known (Ref. 78218).

Maximum size: 65 mm SL

6.5 cm SL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 7248))

This taxon is one of a number of benthopelagic species in the Kunene River system. Benthopelagic river fish are found near the bottom of the water column, feeding on benthos and zooplankton

The Kunene River rises in the central highlands of Angola, and thence flows southward to form a major element of the border between Namibia and Angola before the final discharge is to the Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of the Angola-Benguela Front. The geometry of the Kunene riparian zone is distinctly narrow, with rugged arid landscapes persisting on both sides of the river over long distances, and a virtual lack of any extensive floodplains.

There is a relatively high rate of endemism of aquatic biota in the Kunene. Proposed expansion of dams on the Kunene poses a threat to biodiversity in the river, especially regarding proposals at Epupa Falls. However, a greater threat to the Kunene is a plan by Angola to greatly expand withdrawal of water from the river to expand irrigated agriculture by 600,000 hectares; not only will this action significantly diminish downriver flow rates, but also add considerable nitrate, herbicide and pesticide substances to the river.

The catchment area of the Kunene Basin is approximately 106,560 square kilometres (41,143 square miles) in area, of which 14 100 km² (13%) lies within Namibian territory. Its mean annual discharge is 174 cubic meters per second (6145 cubic feet per second) at its mouth on the Atlantic. Water quality of the Kunene River is relatively high, since the human population density and agricultural intensity is relatively low, including a conspicuous absence of overgrazing. However, bacteria and other microbial pathogens pose a material threat to Kunene water quality, due to the fact that only a small fraction of the domestic wastewater in Angola is treated;

Regarding freshwater bivalves, the central reaches of the Kunene manifest particularly high endemism, similar to parts of the Okavango, Chobe, Upper Zambezi and Etosha Pan basins. The bivalve Etheria elliptica, which also occurs in the Upper Zambezi, is a freshwater mussel in the family Etheriidae, known from a limited extent of the central Kunene River in Angola. It is threatened by proposed dam construction on the Kunene.

There are several endemic benthopelagic fishes in the Kunene River: the eight centimeter (cm) long Kunene dwarf happy (Orthochromis machadoi); the 14 cm benthopelagic Namib happy (Thoracochromis buysi); and the seven cm benthopelagic Kunene kneria (Kneria maydelli).

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Freshwater

benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6.0 - 7.5; dH range: 15

Frequency of occurence in Caprivi: occasionally in sandy streams, occasionally on rocky streams (Ref. 037065).

Oviparous (Ref. 205). Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Data deficient (DD)

Conservation Actions

fisheries: ; aquarium: commercial