Twee River Redfin

It is endemic to the Western Cape Province of South Africa, where it occurs in the Twee River to just before its confluence with the Leeu River, and some tributaries of the former – namely the Heks, upper Middeldeur and upper Suurvlei Rivers. Some have been introduced to dams of farms, but this was too recently to determine whether they thrive or fail in this habitat. Adults inhabit the deeper pools in rivers, sheltered by boulders or riparian trees. Young fish gather in schools near the water surface, associating with overhanging riparian growth, in particular palmiet (Prionium serratum, a Thurniaceae). The food is mainly benthic invertebrates; adults are also known to take other edible matter that drifts by, such as terrestrial insects that have fallen on the water surface. The breeding season extends from late spring to early summer (October to December). Eggs – up to 400 per female and breeding season – develop iteroparously, and spawning occurs after a batch of eggs has become fully developed; it is thus repeated several times during a breeding season until the entire batch of eggs has been laid. Sexual maturity is reached at two years of age, and the species can get up to 6 years old.