Steve Catlin
New member
As you know I posted that I would be doing some Artlure Micro Fishing in Sabie. First off the rivers in the Lowveld are extremely low, the section where I was had only about 2 inches of water in some places but did have some 2 foot areas.
I located what I thought were Yellow Fish, small schools here and there. I spent hours with lures, spinners, curly tails and the like trying to catch one of these buggers without success. They paid no attention to my efforts and frustrated I headed for the local Fishing shop for advice. I was told that the fish were actually Incomati Chiselmouth and not Yellows and that they do not take lure. The owner of the shop advised me to switch to worm.
The next day I rigged worm with a float and yes this was the way to go. They are very strong fighters on light line and great fun. I managed to catch 8 of them in between all the other family duties which was worth it. It is documented that they grow to a max length of 32cm but I managed one at 34cm.
Although my Artlure experience did not materialize I can at least add the Incomati Chiselmouth to my species list.
Below are the facts on this fish
Scientific Name Varicorhinus nelspruitensis
Classified By Gilchrist & Thompson, 1911
Common Name Incomati chiselmouth
Class Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order Carps (Cypriniformes)
Family Minnows or carps (Cyprinidae)
Biology Occasionally caught by anglers. Favors cool rocky flowing-water habitats, Occurs in schools of up to 50-100 fishes. Scrapes `aufwuchs' and benthic invertebrates from rocks. Breeds in summer (Ref. 7248).
Climate Subtropical
Water Temperature From - Celcius Unknown °C
Water Temperature To - Celcius Unknown °C
Depth From - meters Unknown m
Depth To - meters Unknown m
Zone benthopelagic
Distribution Africa: rocky areas of the Incomati (Mozambique) and Pongolo (South Africa) Rivers systems.
Region Africa
Range 23°S - 27°S
Maximum Length 32.0 cm
Common Length Unknown cm
Environment Freshwater; benthopelagic
Vulnerability Moderate vulnerability (38 of 100)
Resilience Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)
Threat To Humans Harmless
IUCN Red List Status Near Threatened (NT)
Human Uses Unknown
Phylogenetic Diversity Index PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)
Trophic Level 2.83 s.e. 0.33 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Is kept in Aquariums False
Occurs in Marine / Salt water False
Occurs in Brackish water False
Occurs in Fresh Water True
Occurs on Reefs False
I located what I thought were Yellow Fish, small schools here and there. I spent hours with lures, spinners, curly tails and the like trying to catch one of these buggers without success. They paid no attention to my efforts and frustrated I headed for the local Fishing shop for advice. I was told that the fish were actually Incomati Chiselmouth and not Yellows and that they do not take lure. The owner of the shop advised me to switch to worm.
The next day I rigged worm with a float and yes this was the way to go. They are very strong fighters on light line and great fun. I managed to catch 8 of them in between all the other family duties which was worth it. It is documented that they grow to a max length of 32cm but I managed one at 34cm.
Although my Artlure experience did not materialize I can at least add the Incomati Chiselmouth to my species list.
Below are the facts on this fish
Scientific Name Varicorhinus nelspruitensis
Classified By Gilchrist & Thompson, 1911
Common Name Incomati chiselmouth
Class Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order Carps (Cypriniformes)
Family Minnows or carps (Cyprinidae)
Biology Occasionally caught by anglers. Favors cool rocky flowing-water habitats, Occurs in schools of up to 50-100 fishes. Scrapes `aufwuchs' and benthic invertebrates from rocks. Breeds in summer (Ref. 7248).
Climate Subtropical
Water Temperature From - Celcius Unknown °C
Water Temperature To - Celcius Unknown °C
Depth From - meters Unknown m
Depth To - meters Unknown m
Zone benthopelagic
Distribution Africa: rocky areas of the Incomati (Mozambique) and Pongolo (South Africa) Rivers systems.
Region Africa
Range 23°S - 27°S
Maximum Length 32.0 cm
Common Length Unknown cm
Environment Freshwater; benthopelagic
Vulnerability Moderate vulnerability (38 of 100)
Resilience Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)
Threat To Humans Harmless
IUCN Red List Status Near Threatened (NT)
Human Uses Unknown
Phylogenetic Diversity Index PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)
Trophic Level 2.83 s.e. 0.33 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Is kept in Aquariums False
Occurs in Marine / Salt water False
Occurs in Brackish water False
Occurs in Fresh Water True
Occurs on Reefs False
