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Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Amphilius uranoscopus  (Pfeffer, 1889)
Common Names Stargazer Mountain Catfish
Gewone Bergbaber (South Africa), Stjernekiggermalle (Denmark)
Type Locality Ushonda and Monda, upper ranges of Wami R., Tanzania.
Synonym(s) Amphilius grandis
Pronunciation ahm FILL ee us
Etymology Amphilius: Not clear; probably from the Greek amphi, meaning both sides and leios, meaning smooth. 
Down Species Information
Size 195mm or 7.7" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Most amphiliid species are found in fast-flowing water of clear, rocky streams at high elevations or rapids of large lowland rivers (Berra 2001; Roberts 2003).basins (Seegers et al. 2003). Species of Amphilius are adapted for fast flow and rocky habitats (Skelton 1986). Morphological adaptations for these habitats include expanded pectoral and pelvic fins with a thickened first ray, depressed body, dorsally directed eyes and reduced swim bladder (Skelton 1986; Walsh et al. 2000). The large pelvic fins form, in conjunction with the body, a feeble sucking disc that enables the fish to cling to rocks (Jackson 1961b).
Down Habitat Information
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.
African Waters, Zambesi, Upper Zambesi (click on these areas to find other species found there)
African Waters, Okavango (click on these areas to find other species found there)
African Waters, Maputo, Pongolo (click on these areas to find other species found there)
African Waters, Mkuze (click on these areas to find other species found there)
African Waters, Tana (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2018.
Temperature 20.0-25.0°C or 68-77°F (Show species within this range)
Down Husbandry Information
Feeding Feeds mainly on insects and small organisms from the substrate. User data.
Furniture Rocky substrate is the natural habitat. Flowing water.
Breeding Unreported.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Down Further Information
Reference Jahrbuch der Hamburgischen Wissenschaftlichen Anstalten v. 6 (art. 4), pp 16.
Registered Keepers There is but a single registered keeper, view all "my cats" data.
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There are 4 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2020 Sep 19 02:10 (species record created: 2005 Jun 19 00:00)