Kwazulu Natal Yellowfish

Potamodromous. Migrating within streams, migratory in rivers, e.g. Saliminus, Moxostoma, Labeo. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Occurs in shoals and migrates upstream during spring and summer. Prefers warmer areas of rivers and often congregate at the inlets of small tributaries where the temperature is warmer than that of the main river. Feeds on algae, insect larvae and crabs. Spawns in fast-flowing stretches of rivers that are algae-free (Ref. 6465).

Occurs in shoals and migrates upstream during spring and summer. Prefers warmer areas of rivers and often congregate at the inlets of small tributaries where the temperature is warmer than that of the main river. Feeds on algae, insect larvae and crabs. Spawns in fast-flowing stretches of rivers that are algae-free (Ref. 6465). Breeds in summer, migrates upstream and spawns over gravel beds. Males mature at about 10 cm FL, females at 15 cm FL (Ref. 7248, 52193).

fisheries: ; gamefish: yes

The scaly yellowfish, or KwaZulu-Natal yellowfish, (Labeobarbus natalensis) is a species of freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae.

This fish is found in the Tugela River System in South Africa, as well as in the Umzimkulu, Umfolozi and the Mgeni. It is one of the most common fishes in KwaZulu-Natal Province and it lives in different habitats between the Drakensberg foothills and the coastal lowlands. The species has been categorized as least concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.