First documented evidence of rock-climbing fish in Africa at Congo's Luvilombo Falls

For the first time in Africa, rock-climbing fish behavior has been officially documented at Luvilombo Falls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Shellear fish, specifically Parakneria thysi, were observed scaling the 50-foot waterfall using hook-like structures on their fins to grip rocks while wiggling their tails for momentum. The discovery, published April 2, 2026 in Scientific Reports, validates decades of local accounts about these aquatic climbers. Researchers from the University of Lubumbashi and the Royal Museum for Central Africa recorded the phenomenon during spring observations in 2018 and 2020, noting migration peaks in mid-April during major floods. The full ascent takes approximately ten hours, with fish taking breaks lasting from 15 seconds to over an hour between spurts of movement. Only specimens under two inches were observed climbing, as larger fish become too heavy for the vertical journey. This behavior makes the species particularly vulnerable to habitat disruption and illegal fishing practices in the region. Study co-author Pacifique Kiwele Mutambala emphasized the importance of maintaining watercourse continuity in the Congo Basin, where fish behavior studies are scarce.