Malolotja Nature Reserve: Fishes
(Information adapted from "Birds of the Malolotja Nature Reserve, Swaziland", by Richard Boycott and Vincent Parker, 2003.)
Malolotja provides important protected habitat for a variety of freshwater fish, including several regionally important species, such as the Incomati Rock Catlet (Chiloglanis bifurcus), Pongolo Rock Catlet (Chiloglanis emarginatus), Southern Mouthbrooder (Pseudocrenilabrus philander) and Stargazer Mountain Catfish (Amphilius uranoscopus). Fifteen species of fish have been confirmed, ten from the Nkomati River. Five of southern Africa's six endemic rock cadets (Chiloglanis spp.) have been recorded from the streams and rivers in Malolotja and it is likely that the sixth species will also be found in the reserve as it has been recorded in the Nkomati River, upstream from Malolotja, in Songimvelo Game Reserve. In the headwater streams of the Malolotja River the Pennanttailed Rock Catlet (Chiloglanis anoterus) occurs and is separated ecologically from other species of catlets by the Malolotja Falls. It also occurs in the headwater streams of the Black Mbuluzi River above the Hawana Falls (Boycott et al. in prep.).
Priority Species
(Information from "Threatened Vertebrates of Swaziland", by A Monadjem, R C Boycott, V Parker and J Culverwell, 2003.)
Critically Endangered
Mochokidae (Squeakers, suckermouth catlets)
Chiloglanis bifurcus Jubb and Le Roux 1969
(Incomati suckermouth/rock catlet)
Swaziland Status: Critically Endangered
Southern African Red Data Status: Critically Endangered
International Red Data Status: Critically Endangered
Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Astatotilapia brevis (Jubb 1968)
(Orange fringed largemouth)
Swaziland Status: Critically Endangered
Southern African Red Data Status: Vulnerable
International Red Data Status: Vulnerable
Endangered
Cyprinidae (Barbs, yellowfish, labeos)
Barbus brevipennis Jubb 1966
(Shortfin barb)
Swaziland Status: Endangered
Southern African Red Data Status: Vulnerable
International Red Data Status: Vulnerable
Near Threatened
Cyprinidae (Barbs, yellowfish, labeos)
Barbus polylepis Boulenger 1907
(Smallscale yellowfish)
Swaziland Status: Near threatened
Southern African Red Data Status: Not listed
International Red Data Status: Not listed
Varicorhinus nelspruitensis Gilchrist and Thompson 1911
(Incomati chiselmouth)
Swaziland Status: Near threatened
Southern African Red Data Status: Not listed
International Red Data Status: Not listed