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The Cape Rivers and Streams are home to several endemic fish. When you think of aquatic species, you might not think of the hot, dry country of South Africa. But the Cape River and adjacent streams of South Africa hold rare and endangered frogs and fish that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. Redfin minnows and Clandwilliam yellowfish swim through this ecoregion, while Hewitt’s ghost frogs and Rose’s toadlets hop around the wetlands and springs.
The Cape Rivers and Streams get their start in the Cape Fold Mountains, which were lifted up millions of years ago by strong forces in the Earth's crust. The many rivers and streams in the ecoregion flow down toward the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, nourishing valleys along the way. The range also lies within one of the world's six "floral kingdoms," where thousands of different plants grow in a small area. This kingdom, called fynbos, is unique in that it is confined to one continent and covers a very limited area -- only the very southern tip of Africa. As the plants in the fynbos decompose, they release chemicals that subsequently make the waters of the Cape Fold ecoregion acidic and stain the water a dark color.
Several rare species of fish swim in the ecoregion, including the Clanwilliam yellowfish and four species of redfin minnows: slender, Burchell's, fiery, and Berg River. The redfin minnows, distinguished by a bright patch of scarlet at the base of their fins, are descendants of an ancient lineage in southern Africa and live in the mountain streams of this region. As they flow, the Cape Rivers and Streams create wetlands and springs -- habitat for endangered amphibians such as Rose's toadlet, Hewitt's ghost frog, Cape caco, Table Mountain ghost frog, and the more widespread and common Cape River frog.
Water is in great demand in this dry ecoregion, with both urban and agriculture uses competing with the needs of the unique animals of this region. The construction of dams and other water diversions threatens the survival of some species. Introduced species, particularly North American gamefishes such as largemouth and smallmouth bass, have also had a big impact on species that live in the Cape Rivers and Streams.
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