Schilbe mystus Linnaeus, 1758

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Habitat and Ecology:

Habitat and Ecology

Schilbe mystus is a demersal and potamodromous species. It shoals in standing or slowly flowing open water with emergent or submerged vegetation. Occasionally in sandy streams, occasionally on rocky streams, common in standing deep water, abundant in shallow swamps, and occasionally in shallow flood plains. The species adapts to running and stagnant waters. Schilbe mystus is generally more active at night or in subdued light. It feeds from mid-water and surface waters on a wide variety of foods including fish, insects, shrimps, snails, plant seeds, and fruit. It is oviparous and has a distinct pairing (Breder and Rosen 1966). Schilbe mystus migrates into the tributaries of rivers and streams during the rainy season to breed and may be either a single or multiple spawner in different localities, laying eggs on vegetation. Spawning occurs during September and October. May live up to 6-7 years (Skelton 1993).

Systems

  • Freshwater
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/60385

Importance:

fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorCrispina B. Binohlan, FishBase
Sourcehttp://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=2447

Environment:

demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); freshwater; depth range 4 - 69 m

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorCrispina B. Binohlan, FishBase
Sourcehttp://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=2447

African butter catfish:

The African butter catfish (Schilbe mystus) is a species of fish in the Schilbeidae family. It is native to all major river systems in Africa. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes and rivers.

The African butter catfish possesses a compressed body and very small adipose fin. It can grow up to 40 centimetres (16 in) TL. As a predator it feeds on invertebrates and fish, as well as algae.[2] It has been noted to feed on the fish species Elephant snout (Hyperopsusus bebe) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).[2]

This fish is of commercial importance in many parts of Africa, providing a good-tasting, relatively low-cost source of protein.[2]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Encyclopedia of Life (http://eol.org/pages/223144/names/synonyms) accessed on the 3rd of May 2014
  2. ^ a b c Ayoade, A., et al. (2008). Diet and dietary habits of the fish Shilbe mystus (Siluriformes: Shilbeidae) in two artificial lakes in southwestern Nigeria. Rev Biol Trop 56:4 1847-55.

References[edit]

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorWikipedia
Sourcehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=African_butter_catfish&oldid=649598085

Depth: 4 - 69m.
From 4 to 69 meters.

Habitat: demersal.

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorFishWise Professional, FishWise Professional
Sourcehttp://www.fishwisepro.com/Species/details.aspx?Zoom=True&SId=47112

Diagnosis: adipose fin present; anterior nostrils more closer to each other than posterior ones; inner margin of pectoral-fin spine strongly denticulate posteriorly; nasal barbel reaching to anterior eye margin, but never extending beyond hind margin of eye; mouth subterminal; 45-64 branched anal-fin rays and 9-14 gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch (Ref. 57127).Coloration: ground colour generally silvery-white; head and back brownish, fins usually colourless (Ref. 57127).

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorPascualita Sa-a, FishBase
Sourcehttp://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=2447

Potamodromous. Migrating within streams, migratory in rivers, e.g. Saliminus, Moxostoma, Labeo. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorCrispina B. Binohlan, FishBase
Sourcehttp://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=2447

Important but occurs only seasonally in Lake Victoria (Ref. 4967). Frequency of occurence in Caprivi: occasionally in sandy streams, occasionally on rocky streams, common in standing deep water, abundant in shallow swamps, and occasionally in shallow flood plains (Ref. 037065). Feeds largely on insects (Ref. 3681).

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorCrispina B. Binohlan, FishBase
SourceNo source database.

Schilbetrema Infestation 2. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorAllan Palacio, FishBase
Sourcehttp://www.fishbase.org/Diseases/diseasesList.cfm?ID=2447&StockCode=2641

Schilbetrema Infestation 1. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorAllan Palacio, FishBase
Sourcehttp://www.fishbase.org/Diseases/diseasesList.cfm?ID=2447&StockCode=2641
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