Fish

The Modderspruit Dam was recently renovated after the wall broke during strong rains. The dam is now larger and deeper. Fishing is allowed on a catch and release basis.

The following indigenous fish have been introduced:

• Mozambique Tilapia (Blue Kurper). The Blue Kurper has a deep, elongated, laterally compressed body and a bluntly pointed snout with a slightly oblique mouth that extends past the outer margins of the eye. Females and non-breeding males normally have a pale grey to washed-out yellow belly with 3 dark spots on their sides. They breed every 40 – 60 days in warmer areas. Feed on soft plant materials such as algae. Length – 400mm. Weight – Up to 3.3kg
• Dwarf Tilapia (Southern Mouth Breeder/ Dwarf kurper). When viewed out of water it is apparent that the Dwarf male is one of the most beautiful freshwater fish in South Africa, with blue green, yellow iridescent breeding colours and blue lip. Females and juveniles are greenish grey and a lot smaller than the males. The eggs are kept inside the mother’s mouth until they hatch and for another 10 – 15 days before they get released. They feed on insects and soft plant materials. Length – 100mm. Weight – Up to 0.2kg
• Redbreast Tilapia. Colour ranges from silver to olive-green and can have up to nine vertical stripes of a darker green or black. These stripes become less distinguished as the fish get bigger but are clearly visible in smaller individuals The male gets red on his chest when breeding season (summer) approaches, to attract females. They feed on hard plant material such as watergrass. Length – 400mm. Weight – Up to 1.85kg
• Banded Tilapia (Vlei kurper). The colours of the Vlei Kurper can range from silver to olive-green, with the sexually mature fish invariably olive- green. They can have up to nine vertical stripes of a darker green or black. They feed on both hard and soft plant material and their perfect environment is wetlands where they breed and hide from birds, frogs and other predators. Length – 230mm. Weight – Up to 0.5kg
• Bushveld small scale yellowfish. They are primarily insectivorous but will consume a wide variety of both plant and animal foods depending on season and availability. Length – 460mm. Weight – Up to 6.2kg
• Straight Fin Barb (Ghieliemientjie). They are an excellent specie to control mosquitoes and larvae. They breed almost right throughout the year. Length – 150mm. Weight – Up to 10g