Common Rock Catfish (Austroglanis sclateri) Photos & Information
The Rock Catfish (Common Rock Catfish) is an
unusual looking
freshwater fish but is caught quite often on various
angling techniques. It is known well in South Africa by it's Afrikaans
name "Klip Barber". The Common Rock Catfish occurs throughout the Vaal,
Orange, Olifants and Limpopo river systems and grows to lengths of about
40 centimeters, although the average length of fully grown Klipbarber is
30 centimeters. This is the most common species of Rock Catfish that
occur in South Africa. The Common Rock Catfish is related to the
Sharptooth
Catfish (Barbel).
The Common Rock Catfish prefers rocky areas in fast flowing water or in rapids where they stay close to the rocks where they find their main prey, small crabs and insects. The larger Rock Catfish have also been known to prey on small fish. As most Catfish species are this fish is opportunistic and will take anything that comes their way.
The
Common Rock Catfish can be caught on
fly fishing
methods, baits; such as worms, grasshoppers and crabs and
occasionally the Common Rock Catfish will take small
Carp baits. If you are trying to catch this fish a small hook with
earthworms under a big float fished in the rapids or amongst rocks in
fast moving water will be the key to success. They are very aggressive
feeders and will often swallow the bait/hook.
The Common Rock Catfish (Austroglanis sclateri -Klipbarber) can be identified by its weird appearance, downwards pointing mouth, whiskers, big pectoral fin, and its olive green colouration with spots present on the fish.
