Legendary African shellear fish climb 50-foot-high waterfall in 10 hours

Researchers documented the shellear fish (Parakneria thysi) in Scientific Reports after fieldwork at Luvilombo Falls.

The fish climb a 50-foot vertical waterfall using ventral unculi on pectoral and pelvic fins.

A full ascent takes about 10 hours but involves only ~15 minutes of active movement with frequent long rests.

Local Sanga communities knew the fish as kalumba for decades before scientific documentation.