SCOTCAT.COM  

Hans van Heusden (1) Andrew Deacon (1) Christian Fry (1) Joe Cutler (2)

Habitat: Amphilius uranoscopus is a demersal species that colonises lakes but prefers fast flowing streams, with pebbles and boulders, where the water is rich in oxygen (Seegers 1996). It survives in fast flowing rapids by paired fins adapted to form suckers to allow the fish to flatten themselves against the rocks. Reproduction: This species breeds in summer, laying eggs underneath stones. The juveniles are easily mistaken for tadpoles. It is preyed on by trout and probably eels (Skelton 1993). Aquarium Care: Can be kept in aquaria with a small grained gravel or sand substrate, and well planted with a slight current to facilitate their natural habitat. Provide rockwork and caves. This genera prefer cooler temperatures in the aquarium. Diet: It feeds on stream insects and other small organisms off rock surfaces (Skelton 1993). In the aquarium feed mosquito larvae, Tubifex, Cyclops, Daphnia, grindal worms, vegetable food, tablet and flake. Etymology: The specific name from the Greek 'ouranos' (sky) and 'skopos' (literally watchman, 'skopeoo' means to look at), referring to the supero-lateral position of the eyes. Remarks: The species shown in the first thumbnail image was captured by the image contributor in the Wami drainage: CAS 80494, Tanzania, Nguru Mountains, Nguru South Forest Reserve, 6°7'S, 37°32'E (2: 49.1-101.4); BMNH 1969.1.15.1, Tanzania, Stream at Arusha in the foothills of Mount Meru, 3°21'57"S, 36°40'28"E (1: 84.7). It is not known whether the spotted species from the north Malagarasi drainage is A. uranoscopus or are another species such as A. kivuensis.

Stargazer mountain catfish

Anoplopterus uranoscopus, Chimarrhoglanis leroyi, Amphilius hargeri, Amphilius oxyrhinus, Amphilius brevidorsalis, Amphilius platychir cubangoensis.

Amphiliidae

Africa (eastern): Okavango and Zambezi basins, eastern coastal Rivers south to the Mkuze basin, Natal, and throughout east and Central Africa (Skelton, 1993); Lake Rukwa basin (Seegers, 1996). Type locality: Bad bei Ushonda (Ungúu), ... Bäche bei Mhonda.

18.0cm. (7ins)

20-24°c (67-75°f.)

6.5-7.5.

Bills, R., Cambray, J., Hanssens, M. & Marshall, B. 2010. Amphilius uranoscopus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010.
Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2015. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 10/2015 ).
Seegers, L., 2008. The catfishes of Africa: A handbook for identification and maintenance. Aqualog Verlag A.C.S. GmbH, Germany. 604 p.
Skelton, P.H., 1993. A complete guide to the freshwater fishes of southern Africa. Southern Book Publishers. 388 p.