A morphological taxonomic revision and genetic study are underway that will hopefully clarify the taxonomic status of the different populations of this species complex. Until this work is done, a sensible assessment of the conservation status of the different taxa is not possible, since it is unclear which populations belong to which taxon.
Distribution
Mountain, coastal and lowland streams of the Cape Floristic Region from tributaries of the Gamtoos and Krom River systems in the east to the Cederberg Mountains (Olifants River system) in the west (Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa).
No information is available on population trends and it is unclear how many populations of this species complex exists and which populations forms part of which taxon.
Threats
Alien invasive species is probably the major threat for all the different taxa. In addition agricultural activities such as unsustainable water extraction and insecticides probably plays a critical role in their conservation status. Not enough is known about the different taxa to understand specific threats.
Conservation
This species complex has always been assessed as a single species, and therefore no conservation actions specifically target this species. Some of the taxa within this complex will benefit from river health monitoring and the planned river rehabilitation programs on the Krom and Rondegat Rivers (Cederberg) and the Krom River (Eastern Cape).
[@article{18475,
author = {Skelton, P.H.},
title = {A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa},
year = {2001}
}
,@book{2426,
address = {Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK},
author = {Baillie, J. and Groombridge, B.},
publisher = {International Union for Conservation of Nature},
title = {1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals},
year = {1996}
}
,@electronic{8816,
address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
author = {IUCN},
title = {2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species},
year = {2007}
}
,]