AquaticRepublic.com - Amphilius natalensis (Amphiliidae) All Fishes

Lateral view of preserved specimen
Dorsal view
Ventral view

All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Amphilius natalensis** Boulenger, 1917
Common Name
Type Locality	Krantz Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Pronunciation	ahm FILL ee us
Etymology	Amphilius: Not clear; probably from the Greek amphi, meaning both sides and leios, meaning smooth.
Species Information
Size	125mm or 4.9" 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).
Habitat Information
Distribution	Africa: Ruo River, Zambezi system in Malawi south to Umkomaas River in Natal, South Africa. Also known from the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe (lower Zambezi). African Waters, Zambesi, Shire, Ruo (click on these areas to find other species found there) African Waters, Umkomaas (click on these areas to find other species found there) African Waters, Zambesi, Lower Zambesi (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2018.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	In the wild it is active at night, feeding on benthic stream invertebrates such as mayfly and midge larvae. User data.
Furniture	Occurs among cobbles and rocks in swiftly flowing water.
Breeding	Unknown.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Annals of the Durban Museum v. 1 (pt 4) (art. 20), pp 432.
Registered Keepers	There is no registered keeper.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is no wish to keep this species.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There is no record of this fish being seen.
Forum BBCode

	Look up A. natalensis on PlanetCatfish.com
	Look up A. natalensis on Fishbase
	Look up A. natalensis on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up A. natalensis on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.24.123.2922
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 00:46 (species record created: 2011 Jan 30 09:33)