During a visit in November to Rietvlei Nature Reserve on Pretoria’s outskirts, along with friend and colleague Hannes Rossouw, we were treated to the show of hundreds of Sharptooth Catfish trying to move upstream following a good downpour the day before. What an amazing spectacle it was!
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
The reason why they’re moving upstream is to mate and lay eggs in newly inundated areas. These catfish were videoed at the Marais Dam in the reserve, vying for mating rights and the best spots to lay and fertilise their eggs.
Remember that I am available to escort you on a guided tour of the Rietvlei Nature Reserve when you visit Pretoria, and that Hannes will gladly accompany us if you’re looking for tips from an expert wildlife photography tutor!
DeWetsWild 
Perfect timing on your shots
Thanks a lot!
Nice shot!
Thanks very much, Marcia!
Ek het al baie hiervan gehoor, maar nog nooit so mooi gesien soos hier op jou foto’s en video nie. Dankie dat jy dit met ons deel! Ek wonder nou … kry hulle dit wel reg om oor daai walletjie water te spring …
Teen die tyd wat ons op die toneel aangekom het het die watervlak onder al baie gedaal en het veral die kleiner babers maar gesukkel. Party het dit tot bo gemaak maar is dan weer deur die stroom afgespoel. Soos met so baie dinge wat in die natuur gebeur was dit n geval van goeie tydsberekening wat die deurslag gee – die babers wat vroeer daar was toe die stroom baie wyer en voller was het maklik die mas opgekom.
Baie dankie vir die verduideliking, ek was baie nuuskierig om te hoor of hulle wel (maklik) tot daar bo kon kom.
Hierdie is ongelooflik, De Wet, my oë pop omtrent uit as ek na jou fotos kyk.
Was beslis iets om te sien, Una!
These carps behave like salmons on other continents. Maybe they have a common ancestor somewhere in the past. I enjoyed viewing these images and the video!
Thanks a lot, Hien. I actually thought about all the wildlife documentaries I’ve seen of salmon running the gauntlet of bears on their way upstream as we were witnessing this. No bears in Rietvlei though!
These photographs are fantastic! I have not witnessed this phenomenon before and am most impressed that you have. What a wonderful share!
Thank you very much, Anne! Hannes and I count ourselves really lucky for being in the right place at the right time!
Wow, that’s impressive!!
Definitely one of the coolest sights I’ve seen in the wild recently!