Linton Fhatuwani Munyai
The Incomati rock catlet or suckermouth Chiloglanis bifurcus is a critically endangered species of upside-down catfish native and endemic to the Crocodile River, South Africa. It is a bottom dwelling predacious small fish which inhabits riverine rocky areas. The population of this fish has significantly changed and was recently discovered in a small tributary of the Crocodile River, after it was thought to be extinct due to urbanisation, habitat loss and water pollution. The project aims to determine current distribution of C. bifurcus and investigate the potential threats and further instigate conservation efforts through awareness creation and solicit involvement of local stakeholders.
The rock catlet is typically found in rocky rapids and cascades. The rock catlet species is not found in pools and stagnant waters or where algae growth is abundant. In its natural range C. bifurcus is found alongside Chiloglanis pretoriae. Chiloglanis bifurcus has not been identified or observed for the past 20 years until a recent encounter and is most readily identified by its clearly bifurcated caudal fin (Kleynhans and James, 1995). The upper and lower caudal fin lobes are clearly distinct whereas in C. pretoriae the lobes are nearly completely fused together. It feeds by scraping benthic invertebrates and small gastropods from stones and uses the large sucker-like mouth to cling on to rocks in strong currents. The Incomati rock catlet is classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), this is due to being a specialized rheophilic species vulnerable to environmental change and pollution. The regulation of water supply, urbanization and industrial pollution are the main threats.