Eastern Cape Rocky

About

The Eastern Cape Rocky (Sandelia bainsii) is one of only two species in its genus, and both are found in small, isolated pockets of South Africa. Completely cut off from other anabantoid relatives, likely a relic of some ancient lineage whose full history hasn't been worked out yet. It's also considered the most primitive living anabantoid, possessing a less developed labyrinth organ than its relatives, though it is still capable of breathing air directly. In the wild it inhabits rocky, slow-moving margins of a handful of rivers in the eastern Cape, where it feeds on insects, crabs, and smaller fish. This is a large, long-lived fish that needs serious space and a carnivore diet, making it a committed keeper's project rather than a casual addition to a community setup. Its conservation status on the IUCN Red List is endangered, and the species has been the subject of an ongoing captive breeding and reintroduction program since the early 1990s. Realistically, you are very unlikely to encounter one for sale, and if you do, it should be kept alone given the importance of not risking disease transmission or aggression losses. Breeding has been documented in captivity, with males performing elaborate courtship displays and taking full responsibility for guarding the adhesive eggs after spawning.