Found in coastal waters, mainly off rocky points and sandy beaches; may enter estuaries which serve as nursery areas (Ref. 27121). Feed mainly on diatoms and detritus, but also on planktonic crustaceans (Ref. 27121). Oviparous, eggs are pelagic and non-adhesive (Ref. 205).

South Africa (country)

Southeast Atlantic: South African coastal waters from Walfish Bay to Natal.

Dorsal spines (total): 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 9

Maximum size: 405 mm TL

40.5 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 3573))

This taxon is one of a number of demersal species in the Kunene River system. Demersal river fish are found at the river bottom, 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 two endemic denmersal fish in the Kunene: the 26 centimeter (cm) long demersal Kunene happy (Sargochromis coulteri) and the demersal fish Hippopotamyrus longilateralis.

Depth range based on 4 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 1 sample.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 2 - 246
  Temperature range (°C): 9.602 - 9.602
  Nitrate (umol/L): 18.358 - 18.358
  Salinity (PPS): 34.740 - 34.740
  Oxygen (ml/l): 4.781 - 4.781
  Phosphate (umol/l): 1.547 - 1.547
  Silicate (umol/l): 14.090 - 14.090

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 2 - 246
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

demersal; catadromous (Ref. 46888); freshwater; brackish; marine

Catadromous. Migrating from freshwater to the sea to spawn, e.g., European eels. Subdivision of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Found in coastal waters, mainly off rocky points and sandy beaches; may enter estuaries which serve as nursery areas. Feeds mainly on diatoms and detritus, but also on planktonic crustaceans. Presence of sharp pointed teeth that enable the species to select fine material (Ref. 74863).

Trypanosoma Infection. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Species: 20
Species With Barcodes: 1

Not Evaluated

fisheries: commercial