| Orange River mudfish | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Genus: | Labeo |
| Species: | L. capensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Labeo capensis (A. Smith, 1841) | |
| Synonyms | |
Abrostomus capensisA. Smith, 1841 Contents | |
Orange River mudfish (Labeo capensis) is a species of fish in genus Labeo . It inhabits the Orange River system of southern Africa.
L. capensis reaches a maximum length of 500 mm (20 in) [2] and the SA angling record is 3.83 kg (8 lb 7 oz). [3]
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. [3]
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. [2]
Africa: within the drainage basin of the Orange-Vaal River system to which it is possibly restricted. [2] Introduced to the Fish River system in Eastern Cape, and the Crocodile River (West). [4]
Occasional angling species, also used in physiological and ecological research and is a potential commercial species. [3]
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