Swimming on the Edge of Extinction

The Perilous State of the Indigenous Freshwater Fish of the Western Cape
About the book
This book covers all currently recognized freshwater fish species that are indigenous to the Western Cape. Each species account is illustrated with exceptional photographs of fish in their natural environment together with descriptions of the distribution, biology, status and threats to the species. The book contains descriptions of major river catchments of the Western Cape, each illustrated with maps and photographs of important and picturesque mountain stream habitats. Easy-to-follow chapters summarise the range of threats to the indigenous freshwater fishes of the western Cape and provide strategies to halt and reverse their decline. Swimming on the edge of extinction will interest conservationists, biologists, ecologists, freshwater fisherman and all those who value the beautiful natural environment of the Western Cape. The book will motivate amateurs, professionals and the person in the street to take action and contribute towards conserving the remaining freshwater fish populations of the province.
Contents
- Foreword
- From Cape Nature
- Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Western Cape Rivers
- The Western Cape Province
- Topography
- Vegetation
- Rainfall
- Water Characteristics
- Ecological Status
- Catchments of the Western Cape
- Olifants-Doring
- Verlorenvlei
- Berg
- Diep, Liesbeek and Eerste
- Palmiet
- Overberg and Agulhas Plain
- Breede
- Duiwenhoks and Goukou
- Gouritz
- Southern Cape
- Keurbooms
Chapter 3: Freshwater Fishes of the Western Cape
- Freshwater Fish Families
- Galaxiidae
- Cape galaxias
- Anabantidae
- Cape kurper
- Austroglanididae
- Spotted rock catfish
- Clanwilliam rock catfish
- Cyprinidae
- Pseudobarbus redfins
- Breede River redfin
- Barrydale redfin
- Heuningnes redfin
- Berg River redfin
- Verlorenvlei redfin
- Fiery redfin
- Doring fiery redfin
- Forest redfin
- Small-scale redfin
- Slender redfin
- Keurbooms slender redfin
- Barbus – the ‘chubbyhead’ group
- Chubbyhead barb
- Barbus – sawfin barbs
- Clanwilliam redfin
- Twee River redfin
- Berg-Breede whitefish
- Sawfin
- Labeobarbus yellowfish
- Clanwilliam yellowfish
- Labeos
- Moggel
- Clanwilliam sandfish
Chapter 4: Major Threats to Fishes
- Water Abstraction
- Habitat Degradation
- Water Pollution
- Climate Change
- Introduced Fish Species
- Impact of Fish Introductions
- Control and Treatment
- The Human Factor
- Anglers
- Aquarists
Chapter 5: Conservation Strategies
- Integrated Fish and River Conservation Management
- Captive Breeding
- Management of Alien Fishes
- Conservation Lobby Group
- Conservation Action
- Stakeholder Buy-In
- Education and Public Involvement
APPENDIX: Underwater Photography
- Glossary of Terms
- Index to Freshwater Fishes
- Index to Rivers and Dams
- Acknowledgements
- About the Authors
Order Enquiries
This book is not for sale directly from the publisher. Please see ordering details below:
Retail
Order online through Loot or order from your local book store.
Wholesale
Order from Blue Weaver or Booksite Afrika.