Sandelia

Sandelia capensis

The Cape bush fish ( Sandelia ) are a genus of freshwater fish from the family of climbing fish and bush fish ( Anabantidae ). The genus comes with two types exclusively in South Africa.

Sandelia bainsii is found in the rivers of the Eastern Cape Province, including in the Kowie River, the Great Fish River, Keiskamma River and Nahoon River. The distribution of the second kind, Sandelia capensis, begins in the west at the Elands Bay and extends across the Western Cape to the Coega River which flows near Port Elizabeth in the ocean. In the Olifants River, he was employed by man.

Features

Cape bush fish have a moderately elongated, laterally flattened body and are 20 to 26 cm long. Head and mouth are relatively large. On both sides of the head are found per two nostrils. The gill cover are scaly and in contrast to those of other fish bush on the edge smooth. The labyrinth organ is built pretty easy. Dorsal and anal fins are elongated, with the hartstrahlige range is longer than the weichstrahlige. The ventral fins are extended, the tail fin is rounded. The lateral line is interrupted, the part on the rear fuselage section runs two scale rows deep.

Cape bush fish are olive brown to yellowish colored and show a dark drawing. The gill cover bears a stain.

Way of life

Sandelia species occur mainly in slow-flowing waters, which are divided by rocks, roots or plants. They feed on insects, crustaceans, other invertebrates and small fish. Both species reproduce in the South African summer. The adhesive eggs are laid on a solid substrate, the breeding ground is defended by the male.

Species

• Sandelia bainsii ( Castelnau, 1861)
• Sandelia capensis ( Cuvier, 1829)

Endangering

The stock of both species is threatened by water pollution and introduced fish species such as tilapia, sunfish and catfish Clarias gariepinus the robbery.