Labeo capensis
The Orange River Mudfish is endemic to the Orange-Vaal River system, South Africa’s largest freshwater ecosystem and one that is under considerable pressure from both pollution and extraction. It has also been accidentally introduced into the Great Fish River system due to water being pumped from the Orange-Vaal system.
Naturally this streamlined fish prefers the flowing waters of large rivers though they’ve adapted quite well to living in large dams like the Gariep, Vaal and Bloemhof. They feed mainly on algae growing on underwater structures and detritus settling on the river bottom.
In summer Orange River Mudfish congregate in large numbers at rocky rapids to spawn. The eggs hatch within a few days of laying and the fry grow quite quickly. They reach about 50cm in length and weigh around 2kg when fully grown.
DeWetsWild 