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List of Freshwater Fishes for South Africa

Number of freshwater fish species: 176 The tables below were generated from Fishbase.org - A project to provide indexing and links for all known species as the baseline dataset for studies of global biodiversity. All links below take you to pages on the fishbase.org site.
Tropical Freshwater Fish | Biotope aquaria | Country Index

Record number 1 to 176  |  
Order Family Species Status FB name Name
Perciformes Sparidae Acanthopagrus berda native Picnic seabream Slimjannie 
Perciformes Ambassidae Ambassis natalensis native Slender glassy Slank glasvis 
Perciformes Ambassidae Ambassis productus native Longspine glassy Langstekel-glasvis 
Perciformes Ambassidae Ambassis urotaenia native Banded-tail glassy perchlet  
Siluriformes Amphiliidae Amphilius natalensis native Natal mountain catfish Natalse bergbaber 
Siluriformes Amphiliidae Amphilius uranoscopus native Stargazer mountain catfish Gewone bergbaber 
Anguilliformes Anguillidae Anguilla bengalensis labiata native African mottled eel Afrika-bontpaling 
Anguilliformes Anguillidae Anguilla bicolor bicolor native Indonesian shortfin eel Kortvin-paling 
Anguilliformes Anguillidae Anguilla marmorata native Giant mottled eel Reus-bontpaling 
Anguilliformes Anguillidae Anguilla mossambica native African longfin eel Geelbekpaling 
Anguilliformes Anguillidae Anguilla obscura questionable Pacific shortfinned eel  
Cyprinodontiformes Poeciliidae Aplocheilichthys hutereaui native Meshscaled topminnow Tralielampogie 
Cyprinodontiformes Poeciliidae Aplocheilichthys katangae native Striped topminnow Streeplampogie 
Cyprinodontiformes Poeciliidae Aplocheilichthys myaposae native Natal topminnow Natalse lampogie 
Atheriniformes Atherinidae Atherina breviceps native Cape silverside Kaapse spierinkie 
Siluriformes Austroglanididae Austroglanis barnardi endemic Barnard's rock-catfish Barnard se klipbaber 
Siluriformes Austroglanididae Austroglanis gilli endemic Clanwilliam catfish Clanwilliam-klipbaber 
Siluriformes Austroglanididae Austroglanis sclateri native Rock-catfish Klipbaber 
Perciformes Gobiidae Awaous aeneofuscus native Freshwater goby Varswater-dikkop 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus afrohamiltoni native Hamilton's barb Dik-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus amatolicus native Amatola barb Amatola-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus andrewi endemic Cape whitefish Witvis 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus annectens native Broadstriped barb Breëstreep-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus anoplus native Chubbyhead barb Dikkop-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus argenteus native Rosefin barb Roosvlerk-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus bifrenatus native Hyphen barb Skakel-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus brevipinnis native Shortfin barb Kortvlerk-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus calidus endemic Clanwilliam redfin Clanwilliam-rooivlerkie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus elephantis native   
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus erubescens endemic Twee redfin Tweerivier-rooivlerkie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus eutaenia native Orangefin barb Oranjevlerk-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus gurneyi native Redtail barb Rooistert-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus hospes native Namaquab barb Namakwa-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus lineomaculatus native Line-spotted barb Lynkol-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus motebensis native Marico barb Marico-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus pallidus native Goldie barb Goud-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus paludinosus native Straightfin barb Lynvin of Moeras-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus radiatus radiatus native Redeye barb Beira-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus serra endemic Sawfin Saagvin 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus toppini native East Coast barb Ooskus-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus treurensis endemic Treur barb Treurrivier-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus trevelyani endemic Border barb Grens-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus trimaculatus native Threespot barb Driekol-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus unitaeniatus native Slender barb Langbaard-ghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus viviparus native Bowstripe barb Boogstreep-ghieliemientjie 
Characiformes Alestidae Brycinus imberi native Spot-tail Imberi 
Characiformes Alestidae Brycinus lateralis native Striped robber Streep-rower 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Carassius auratus auratus introduced Goldfish Goudvis 
Carcharhiniformes Carcharhinidae Carcharhinus leucas native Bull shark Bulhaai 
Perciformes Cichlidae Chetia brevis native Orange-fringed largemouth Oranjerand-kurper 
Perciformes Cichlidae Chetia flaviventris native Canary kurper Kanariekurper 
Siluriformes Mochokidae Chiloglanis anoterus native Pennant-tailed suckermouth Wimpelstert-suierbekkie 
Siluriformes Mochokidae Chiloglanis bifurcus native Incomati suckermouth Inkomati-suierbekkie 
Siluriformes Mochokidae Chiloglanis emarginatus native Phongolo suckermouth Phongolo-suierbekkie 
Siluriformes Mochokidae Chiloglanis paratus native Sawfin suckermouth Saagvin-suierbekkie 
Siluriformes Mochokidae Chiloglanis pretoriae native Shortspine suckermouth Kortstekel-suierbekkie 
Siluriformes Mochokidae Chiloglanis swierstrai native Lowveld suckermouth Laeveldse suierbekkie 
Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias gariepinus native North African catfish Bavhuri 
Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias ngamensis native Blunt-toothed African catfish Stomptandbaber 
Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias theodorae native Snake catfish Slangbaber 
Perciformes Gobiidae Coryogalops william native Kaalpens goby Kaalpens-dikkop 
Perciformes Gobiidae Croilia mossambica native Burrowing goby Kaal-dikkop 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Ctenopharyngodon idella introduced Grass carp Graskarp 
Perciformes Anabantidae Ctenopoma multispine native Manyspined ctenopoma Stekelrige kurper 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Cyprinus carpio carpio introduced Common carp Kapa 
Perciformes Eleotridae Eleotris fusca native Dusky sleeper Donker slaper 
Perciformes Eleotridae Eleotris mauritianus native Widehead sleeper Wyekop-slaper 
Perciformes Eleotridae Eleotris melanosoma native Broadhead sleeper Breëkop-slaper 
Perciformes Gobiidae Favonigobius reichei native Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby Tropiese sand-dikkop 
Osmeriformes Galaxiidae Galaxias zebratus endemic Cape galaxias Kaapse galaxias 
Siluriformes Ariidae Galeichthys feliceps native White baggar Wit seebaber 
Cyprinodontiformes Poeciliidae Gambusia affinis introduced Mosquitofish  
Perciformes Gerreidae Gerres filamentosus native Whipfin silverbiddy Sweepvin-plooibek 
Clupeiformes Clupeidae Gilchristella aestuaria native Gilchrist's round herring Rivier-rondeharing 
Perciformes Gobiidae Glossogobius callidus native River goby Rivier-dikkop 
Perciformes Gobiidae Glossogobius giuris native Tank goby Tenk-dikkop 
Perciformes Cichlidae Hemichromis guttatus questionable   
Characiformes Alestidae Hemigrammopetersius barnardi native Barnard's robber Barnard se rower 
Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae Hippichthys heptagonus native Belly pipefish Boepens-pypvis 
Characiformes Alestidae Hydrocynus vittatus native Tiger fish Tiervis 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Hypophthalmichthys molitrix introduced Silver carp Silwerkarp 
Perciformes Eleotridae Hypseleotris cyprinoides native Tropical carp-gudgeon  
Perciformes Eleotridae Hypseleotris dayi endemic Golden sleeper Goue slaper 
Gonorynchiformes Kneriidae Kneria auriculata native Airbreathing shellear Suidelike skulpoortjie 
Perciformes Kuhliidae Kuhlia rupestris native Rock flagtail Klip-vlagstert 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Labeo capensis native Orange river mudfish Oranjerivier-moddervis 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Labeo congoro native Purple labeo Perslyf-moddervis 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Labeo cylindricus native Redeye labeo Gukhuna tombo 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Labeo molybdinus native Leaden labeo Kuluta 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Labeo rosae native  Rednose labeo 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Labeo rubromaculatus endemic Tugela labeo Tugela-moddervis 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Labeo ruddi native Silver labeo Silwer-moddervis 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Labeo seeberi endemic Clanwilliam sandfish Clanwilliam-sandvis 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Labeo umbratus native Moggel Moggel 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Labeobarbus aeneus native Smallmouth yellowfish Kleinbek-geelvis 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Labeobarbus capensis native Clanwilliam yellowfish Clanwilliam geelvis 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Labeobarbus kimberleyensis native Largemouth yellowfish Grootbek-geelvis 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Labeobarbus marequensis native Largescale yellowfish Grootskub-geelvis 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Labeobarbus natalensis native Scaly Natalse geelvis 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Labeobarbus polylepis native Smallscale yellowfish Kleinskub-geelvis 
Perciformes Centrarchidae Lepomis cyanellus introduced Green sunfish  
Perciformes Centrarchidae Lepomis macrochirus introduced Bluegill  
Mugiliformes Mugilidae Liza macrolepis native Largescale mullet Grootskub-harder 
Mugiliformes Mugilidae Liza richardsonii native South African mullet Suidelike harder 
Siluriformes Malapteruridae Malapterurus shirensis native  Zambezi electric catfish 
Osteoglossiformes Mormyridae Marcusenius macrolepidotus macrolepidotus native Bulldog Snawelvis 
Elopiformes Megalopidae Megalops cyprinoides native Indo-Pacific tarpon Osoog-tarpon 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Mesobola brevianalis native River sardine Riviersardyn 
Characiformes Alestidae Micralestes acutidens native Sharptooth tetra Khovhenduhu 
Perciformes Anabantidae Microctenopoma intermedium native  Blackspot climbing perch 
Cyprinodontiformes Poeciliidae Micropanchax johnstoni native Johnston's topminnow Johnston se lampogie 
Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae Microphis brachyurus brachyurus native Short-tailed pipefish Kortstert-pypvis 
Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae Microphis brachyurus millepunctatus native Shorttail pipefish Opossum pipefish 
Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae Microphis fluviatilis native Freshwater pipefish Varswater-pypvis 
Perciformes Centrarchidae Micropterus dolomieu introduced Smallmouth bass  
Perciformes Centrarchidae Micropterus punctulatus introduced Spotted bass  
Perciformes Centrarchidae Micropterus salmoides introduced Largemouth bass Ramafelia 
Perciformes Moronidae Morone saxatilis introduced Striped bass  
Mugiliformes Mugilidae Mugil cephalus native Flathead mullet Platkop-harder 
Perciformes Gobiidae Mugilogobius durbanensis native Durban goby Durban-dikkop 
Mugiliformes Mugilidae Myxus capensis endemic Freshwater mullet Varswater-harder 
Cyprinodontiformes Nothobranchiidae Nothobranchius orthonotus native Spotted killifish Spikkel-kuilvissie 
Cyprinodontiformes Nothobranchiidae Nothobranchius rachovii native Bluefin notho Reënboog-kuilvissie 
Perciformes Blenniidae Omobranchus ferox native Gossamer blenny Spinnerak-blennie 
Salmoniformes Salmonidae Oncorhynchus mykiss introduced Rainbow trout  
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Opsaridium peringueyi native Southern barred minnow Suidelike balkghieliemientjie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Opsaridium zambezense native Barred minnow Balkghieliemientjie 
Perciformes Cichlidae Oreochromis andersonii introduced Three spotted tilapia Driekolkurper 
Perciformes Cichlidae Oreochromis aureus introduced Blue tilapia Israelse tilapia 
Perciformes Cichlidae Oreochromis mossambicus native Mozambique tilapia Blou kurper 
Perciformes Cichlidae Oreochromis niloticus niloticus introduced Nile tilapia  
Perciformes Cichlidae Oreochromis placidus placidus native Black tilapia  
Perciformes Gobiidae Pandaka silvana native Dwarfgoby Dwergdikkop 
Rajiformes Dasyatidae Pastinachus sephen native Cowtail stingray Veerstert-pylstert 
Clupeiformes Pristigasteridae Pellona ditchela native Indian pellona Indiese pellona 
Perciformes Percidae Perca fluviatilis introduced European perch  
Osteoglossiformes Mormyridae Petrocephalus catostoma catostoma native Churchill Netsenetse 
Osteoglossiformes Mormyridae Petrocephalus wesselsi native Southern Churchill Southern Churchill 
Anguilliformes Ophichthidae Pisodonophis boro native Rice-paddy eel Strandmeer-slangpaling 
Siluriformes Plotosidae Plotosus nkunga native Stinging eel catfish Baberpaling 
Cyprinodontiformes Poeciliidae Poecilia reticulata introduced Guppy Guppie 
Pristiformes Pristidae Pristis microdon native Largetooth sawfish Groottand-saagvis 
Pristiformes Pristidae Pristis pectinata questionable Smalltooth sawfish Kleintand-saagvis 
Pristiformes Pristidae Pristis zijsron native Longcomb sawfish Langkam-saagvis 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Pseudobarbus afer endemic Eastern Cape redfin Oos-Kaapse rooivlerkie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Pseudobarbus asper endemic Smallscale redfin Kleinskub-rooivlerkie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Pseudobarbus burchelli endemic Burchell's redfin Burchell se rooilerkie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Pseudobarbus burgi native Berg redfin Bergrivier-rooivlerkie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Pseudobarbus phlegethon endemic Fiery redfin Vurige rooivlerkie 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Pseudobarbus tenuis endemic Slender redfin Slank rooivlerkie 
Perciformes Cichlidae Pseudocrenilabrus philander philander native Southern mouthbrooder Jafrou 
Perciformes Gobiidae Redigobius bikolanus native Speckled goby Grootbek-dikkop 
Perciformes Gobiidae Redigobius dewaali native Checked goby Blokkies-dikkop 
Salmoniformes Salmonidae Salmo salar not established Atlantic salmon  
Salmoniformes Salmonidae Salmo trutta fario native Brown trout  
Salmoniformes Salmonidae Salmo trutta trutta introduced Sea trout  
Salmoniformes Salmonidae Salvelinus fontinalis not established Brook trout Beekforel 
Perciformes Anabantidae Sandelia bainsii endemic Eastern Cape Rocky Oos-kaapse kurper 
Perciformes Anabantidae Sandelia capensis endemic Cape kurper Kaapse kurper 
Perciformes Scatophagidae Scatophagus tetracanthus native Scatty Skattie 
Siluriformes Schilbeidae Schilbe intermedius native Silver catfish Tshihoko 
Perciformes Cichlidae Serranochromis meridianus native Lowveld largemouth Laeveld-kurper 
Perciformes Cichlidae Serranochromis robustus jallae introduced Nembwe Upper Zambezi nembwe 
Perciformes Gobiidae Silhouettea sibayi endemic Barebreast goby Kaalbors-dikkop 
Perciformes Gobiidae Stenogobius kenyae native Africa rivergoby Afrika rivierdikkop 
Anguilliformes Muraenidae Strophidon sathete native Slender giant moray Slank reuse bontpaling 
Siluriformes Mochokidae Synodontis macrostigma native Largespot squeaker Grootvlek-skreeubaber 
Siluriformes Mochokidae Synodontis nigromaculata native Blackspotted squeaker Spikkel-skreeubaber 
Siluriformes Mochokidae Synodontis zambezensis native Plain squeaker Bruin skreeubaber 
Perciformes Gobiidae Taenioides jacksoni endemic Bearded eelgoby Bebaarde palingdikkop 
Perciformes Terapontidae Terapon jarbua native Jarbua terapon Doringvis 
Perciformes Cichlidae Tilapia rendalli native Redbreast tilapia Rooiborskurper 
Perciformes Cichlidae Tilapia sparrmanii native Banded tilapia Ghetla 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Tinca tinca introduced Tench Seelt 
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Varicorhinus nelspruitensis native Incomati chiselmouth Inkomati-beitelbek 
Cyprinodontiformes Poeciliidae Xiphophorus hellerii introduced Green swordtail Swaardstert 
Page created by: Eli, 15.08.07, last modified by: Lei, 20.11.08


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Copyright TropicalFreshwaterFish.com 1994-2013

The copy for tropicalfreshwaterfish.com was written in 1994-1995. Therefore some information such as scientific names may be out of date. For this, I apologize. Feel free to send corrections to me.