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First Formal Documentation of Fish Climbing Waterfall in Congo

4/5/2026

24 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Parakneria thysi, a shellear fish, climbs a 50-foot waterfall in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Auguste Chocha Manda first observed the behavior 17 years ago.
PhD student Pacifique Kiwele Mutambala and colleagues confirmed the behavior, marking Africa's first formal documentation and noting habitat-protection implications.
The fish grip the rock with their pelvic and pectoral fins in the splash zone.
The ascent takes nearly ten hours.

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Story summary

Parakneria thysi, a shellear fish, climbs a 50-foot waterfall in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Auguste Chocha Manda first observed the behavior 17 years ago.
PhD student Pacifique Kiwele Mutambala and colleagues confirmed the behavior, marking Africa's first formal documentation and noting habitat-protection implications.
The fish grip the rock with their pelvic and pectoral fins in the splash zone.
The ascent takes nearly ten hours.