Scientific Name
Amphilius uranoscopus

Common Name
Stargazer mountain catfish

Biology
Prefers clear, flowing water in rocky habitats. Feeds on stream insects and other small organisms off rock surfaces. Breeds in summer. Juveniles are easily mistaken for tadpoles. Preyed upon by trout and probably eels.

Classification

Classified By

Pfeffer, 1889

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Loach catfishes (Amphiliidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Widespread in central and east Africa. Known from the Tana River, Kenya to Pongolo River, Natal. Also known from the Okavango, Zambezi systems, and east coast rivers south to the Mkuze system in northern Natal

Range

0°S - 30°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

20 °C

Water Temperature To

25 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal

Trophic Level

2.86 s.e. 0.30 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

19.5 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of potential interest; aquarium: potential

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (36 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming Fec

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)