The cave catfish, Clarias cavernicola, is a critically endangered species of Airbreathing catfish

Airbreathing catfish

Airbreathing catfishes are fishes comprising the family Clariidae of order Siluriformes. There are about 14 genera and 100 species of clariids...

. They are only known to live in the Aigumas Cave, Otjozondjupa

Otjozondjupa

Otjozondjupa region is one of the thirteen regions of Namibia. An outstanding landmark within this region is the Waterberg Plateau Park. Administration offices are based in Otjiwarongo which is the largest town in the region....

, Namibia

Namibia

Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...

. They appear similar to white eels, up to 16cm long. They have very small eyes, and are probably effectively blind. They feed on detritus that falls into the lake in which they live. The population is estimated at 150 individuals. Little is known about its reproduction, and attempts to breed it in captivity have failed. The population is threatened by chance events and aquifer depletion that threatens to drain the lake.