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Freshwater (=Inland waters)
They are found in rivers of variable size, including mountain streams. This is the second largest cyprinid found in South Africa, attaining nearly 99 cm and 10 kg (Skelton 2001). Adults prefer relatively fast flowing water of variable depth (Gore et al. 1991). Sub-adults are frequently found in riffles, with juveniles smaller than 4 cm in backwaters and slow flowing shallow riffles. Deep permanent pools with good cover provided by rocky reefs or palmiet (Prionium serratum) beds are important refuges for the species in seasonal rivers during the hot dry summers. It co-occurs with large cyprinids such as Clanwilliam Sawfin (Pseudobarbus serra) and Clanwilliam Sandfish (Labeo seeberi), but also small redfins (Pseudobarbus spp.) and rock catfishes (Austroglanis spp.). Adults are light brown, males becoming golden yellow during the breeding season. Juveniles are silvery with irregular dark blotches or vertical bars on the sides (Jubb 1965). Adults are omnivorous, feeding on aquatic macro-invertebrates and algae (van Rensburg 1966). Juveniles feed on zooplankton and small aquatic invertebrates. Breeds in late spring to summer when water temperatures exceed 20°C; then small schools of adults migrate to riffles and glides that are 0.2 to 0.5 m deep to spawn (King et al. 1998). It is a repeat spawner and a multiple spawner during the breeding season, laying non-adhesive eggs that develop into photophobic embryos (Cambray 1999), and the species can spawn successfully in impoundments in shallow rocky bays (Impson 2007).SANBI is currently in the process of adding more information about species to this database.
