Labeobarbus marequensis
In South Africa the Lowveld Largescale Yellowfish occurs in the Limpopo, Komati and Phongolo River systems that drain into the Indian Ocean, preferring flowing water over impoundments. They are omnivorous and feed on anything ranging from small fish, snails and aquatic insects to algae. Mature females are considerably larger than males and may measure up to 50cm long, attaining a weight of over 5kg. They’re a popular target for fly fisherman.
Largescale Yellowfish breed in spring and summer, swimming upstream in rivers and streams swollen by recent rains to spawn in rocky rapids. The below pictures were taken at the bridge over the Matjulu Spruit, a tributary of the Crocodile River, in the southern Kruger National Park early in February after the extraordinary rains the Lowveld experienced just a couple of weeks before, and shows large schools of Largescale Yellowfish swimming upstream.
DeWetsWild 