Appearance and lifestyle:
The moggel (Labeo umbratus) is an olive-brown to grey freshwater fish that can grow up to 30-50cm. In summer, they migrate upstream after rains, and spawn over flooded grassy river banks. Each female produces about 250 000 eggs, which hatch within 2 days. The larvae swim to the surface and are lifted by the current and carried into deeper water, before the floodwaters subside altogether.
Habitat:
These fish live in summer rainfall areas in many of South Africa’s river systems, including the Orange-Vaal system, the Gourits, Gamtoos, Great Fish and Bushmans systems. They prefer standing or gently flowing water, and unlike many other indigenous fish, they thrive in dams.
Diet:
They are omnivorous bottom-feeders that feed on worms, algae, detritus, small insects and larvae.
Threats:
Overfishing, climate change, pollution etc.