The distribution, conservation status and factors affecting the survival of indigenous freshwater fishes in the Cape Province

Abstract

Fifteen of the 36 indigenous freshwater fishes of the Cape Province are endemic to this region and a further eight are endemic to the Republic of South Africa. A third of the species are listed in the South African Red Data Book - Fishes. The distribution and conservation status of each species, excluding eels, are described. The possible effect of environmental changes, such as farming and other forms of land use, exotics, mining, industrial development, human settlement and construction of dams, are discussed and conservation measures are proposed.