Labeo capensis (Smith, 1841)
Orange river mudfish
Labeo capensis
photo by Crafford, D.

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Labeoninae
Max. size:  50 cm FL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 3,830.0 g
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: within the drainage basin of the Orange-Vaal River system to which it is possibly restricted. Hitherto thought to occur in the Limpopo system and in southern Cape watersheds which records may be erroneous.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Occurs in a variety of habitats: quiet well vegetated backwaters, standing open waters, flowing open waters, sandy-rocky stretches and rocky rapids. Their preferred habitat is flowing rocky channels. Bottom feeder which grazes algae and organic detritus (Ref. 6465). Breeds in summer, gathering in large numbers in shallow rocky rapids where eggs are laid. Larvae hatch after 3 or 4 days. May live up to 8 or 9 years (Ref. 7248).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 January 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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