Abstract
Seasonal and diel behaviour of six sharptooth catfish, Clarius gariepinus (Burchell), was monitored in Lake Ngezi, Zimbabwe, from May 1986 to February 1987. All specimens were equipped with surgically‐implanted radiotransmi tters, 48–49 mHz, after they were anaesthetized in 6 mg l‐1 quinaldine. This represented the first known use of this methodology in subSaharan Africa.It was determined that C. gariepinus exhibited three movement patterns on a day‐to‐day basis: long‐distance movements ( 2200 m), moderate movements (c. 40–200 m) and local movements (<40 m). Major movements were not restricted to night‐time conditions, nor were inshore/offshore movements related to time of day. Seasonal activity peaks occurred in July/August 1986 and again in January 1987, with rate of swimming exceeding 470 m/h on some occasions. Home range of some individuals encompassed the entire lake (> 5 km2).
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