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Scientific Name Amphilius engelbrechti  Mazungula & Chakona, 2021
Common Name Inkomati Mountain Catfish
Type Locality Inkomati River, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.
Type Locality Notes From original description, the type locality is Waterhoutboom River, bridge on road from Graskop to Bushbuckridge, Inkomati River, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. 24°57'19.9''S, 30°54'31.20''E.
Pronunciation ahm FILL ee us
Etymology Amphilius: Not clear; probably from the Greek amphi, meaning both sides and leios, meaning smooth. engelbrechti: In honor of the Dr. Johan Engelbrecht, for his contributions to ichthyological research and conservation of freshwater fishes in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces of South Africa.
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Size 73mm or 2.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Most amphiliid species are found in fast-flowing water of clear, rocky streams at high elevations or rapids of large lowland rivers (Berra 2001; Roberts 2003).basins (Seegers et al. 2003). Species of Amphilius are adapted for fast flow and rocky habitats (Skelton 1986). Morphological adaptations for these habitats include expanded pectoral and pelvic fins with a thickened first ray, depressed body, dorsally directed eyes and reduced swim bladder (Skelton 1986; Walsh et al. 2000). The large pelvic fins form, in conjunction with the body, a feeble sucking disc that enables the fish to cling to rocks (Jackson 1961b).
General Remarks golden-yellow to ash-grey, with four or five dorsal saddles. Numerous small spots present, giving a “cloudy” pattern on dorsal and dorsolateral surfaces. Lightly colored to deeply pigmented band present at base of caudal fin. Caudal fin lobes variably pigmented.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution Southern Africa: Inkomati River system, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

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IUCN Red List Category Not Evaluated
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Feeding The diet of Amphilius species has been reported to consist predominantly of benthic aquatic insects (Marriott et al. 1997; Skelton 2001; Walsh et al. 2000). User data.
Furniture This species is found in flowing sections of rivers with rocky substrates.
Breeding Unreported.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Journal of Fish Biology v. 99 (no. 1), pp Fig.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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Last Update 2023 Feb 23 10:31 (species record created: 2015 Jul 20 22:49)