These rock-climbing fish can shimmy up a 50-foot waterfall
NPR • • world
Key Points:
- Researchers have documented for the first time in Africa that shellear fish (Parakneria thysi) climb a 50-foot rock face behind the Luvilombo waterfall in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a behavior previously observed only elsewhere in the world.
- The fish use specialized anatomy, including pelvic fins for support and pectoral fins with tiny hooks to grip the rock, enabling them to ascend the vertical surface in a slow, energy-intensive process lasting about ten hours.
- Only smaller fish, about a couple of inches long or less, successfully climb the falls, typically moving in the splash zones rather than the strongest water currents.
- This vertical migration is believed to be part of the fish's upstream movement, making the species vulnerable to habitat disruption from activities like dam construction or water diversion, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
- The discovery enhances understanding of fish behavior and biodiversity in the region, with implications for protecting migratory fish species that face higher risks of endangerment compared to non-migratory species.
