Red List of South African Species

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Notes

As this species is currently recognised it has a wide geographical distribution over numerous distinct river systems. A thorough investigation of all populations is needed to determine the taxonomic status of these populations, but it is clearly a species complex with notable differences between geographically separated populations. Currently we are not aware of any major taxonomic studies.

habitat_narrative

Freshwater (=Inland waters)

Labeo cylindricus is a benthopelagic and potamodromous species. It occurs in both sediment-free and sediment-rich rocky biotopes. Labeo cylindricus favours clear, running waters in rocky habitats of small and large rivers, also found in lakes and dams over rocky areas. It feeds on diatoms and `aufwuchs' from the surface of rocks, tree trunks and other firm surfaces (Konings 1990). Labeo cylindricus swims upstream in large numbers to breed, using the mouth and broad pectorals to climb damp surfaces of barrier rocks and weirs (Skelton 2001). It is mainly caught when migrating up streams from lakes to spawn. Populations in Lake Malawi have a well-marked breeding season in December. The breeding season is very short and the eggs are laid among the rocks. In Malawi it is reported that there are both permanent riverine populations and lacustrine populations.

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