Labeobarbus kimberleyensis
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| ANIMALIA |
CHORDATA |
ACTINOPTERYGII |
CYPRINIFORMES |
CYPRINIDAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Labeobarbus kimberleyensis |
| Species Authority: |
(Gilchrist & Thompson, 1913) |
Common Name/s:
| English |
– |
Largemouth Yellowfish, Vaal-orange Largemouth Yellowfish |
|
| Synonym/s: |
Barbus kimberleyensis Gilchrist & Thompson, 1913
|
| Taxonomic Notes: |
This species cannot be distinguished from Labeobarbus aeneus with mitochondrial DNA, but seems to be morphologically distinct. However, further work is needed to assess whether hybridization is occurring between these two species. |
Assessment Information
[top]
| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Near Threatened
ver 3.1
|
| Year Assessed: |
2007 |
| Assessor/s: |
Impson, D. & Swartz, E. |
| Reviewer/s: |
Snoeks, J. (Freshwater Fish Red List Authority) & Darwall, W. (Freshwater Biodiversity Assessment Unit) |
Justification:
Criterion A does not apply as no detailed work on population biology has been done on this long-lived species. It is still reasonably abundant and widespread in both the Orange and Vaal River systems. Criterion B does not apply even though the actual area of occupancy is less than 2,000 km² as the species is found at more than 10 locations. Total population size has not been determined, but the species is known to be widespread and reasonably common in the mainstream lower Orange River. General concerns about reducing densities across its range suggest that this species could be listed in a threatened category in the future. The flow in the middle and lower Vaal River is mostly treated sewage water outside of flood periods subjecting the fishes to highly variable water quality through the year. Fish kills in this part of the river have been reported because of this. Both the Orange and Vaal rivers, which house the majority of adult fishes, are highly regulated. The species is also an apex predator in the system, hence it will never be present in very large numbers. It is therefore assessed as NT.
|
| History: |
| 1996 |
– |
Vulnerable
|
| 1996 |
– |
Vulnerable
|
| 1994 |
– |
Vulnerable
(Groombridge 1994)
|
|
Geographic Range
[top]
| Range Description: |
Endemic to the Orange River system (Skelton 2001). It is widespread in both the Orange River and its largest tributary the Vaal River. The species is also common in many of the large tributaries of these rivers.
|
| Countries: |
Native:
Lesotho; Namibia; South Africa (Eastern Cape Province, Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape Province, North-West Province)
|
| Range Map: |
(click map to view full version)
|
Population
[top]
| Population: |
This species is reasonably common, especially in large deeper pools and in the middle and lower Vaal and Orange rivers respectively. Larger tributaries e.g., Riet River also have good numbers as do weirs and instream dams.
|
| Population Trend: |
Decreasing
|
Habitat and Ecology
[top]
| Habitat and Ecology: |
Favours deeper pools (deeper than 2 m) with an abundance of cover in the form of reefs, weed beds and over hanging vegetation. Primarily a predator with fishes above 30 cm being almost exclusively piscivorous. Breeds in summer in riffles. Fecundity is high with large females producing in excess of 60,000 eggs. Slow grower initially attaining 30 cm (Tail Length) after five years.
|
| Systems: |
Freshwater |
| Major Threat(s): |
The major threat is poor water quality in the Vaal River below Vaal Dam and from tributaries which receive treated effluent water. Instream dams and weirs are not a problem if suitable spawning habitat is present above the dam. River regulation and destruction of different habitat types may be causing hybridisation between this species and Labeobarbus aeneus, but this possibility has to be investigated further.
|
Conservation Actions
[top]
| Conservation Actions: |
It is common in the Orange River in the Augrabies and Richtersveld National parks. Catch and release is mandatory in the Free State Province. This species is promoted as a flagship angling species in the Orange River system and most anglers practice catch and release. Appropriate dams (e.g., Sterkfontein Dam) in the distribution range have been stocked.
|
