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Species
Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758
IUCN
NCBI
EOL Text
Common names for S. glanis are wels catfish or sheatfish.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Silurus_glanis/ |
Habitat and Ecology
Large and medium size lowland rivers, backwaters and well vegetated lakes. Spawns in shallow, warm and well vegetated riverine habitats without current.
Biology:
Lives up to 80 years in the wild. Spawns for the first time at 2-3 years and 1-2 kg. Spawns in April-June, in northern areas until August, when temperature reaches about 20C. In spawning grounds, males defend small territories and build nests of plant material, dig shallow depressions or clean spawning substrate such as willow (Salix) roots. Nests are defended by males until larvae emerge. Spawns in pairs. During spawning act, the male embraces the female. Eggs hatch in 2-3 days and larvae remain in nest until yolk sack is absorbed (2-4 days). A nocturnal predator, feeding near bottom and in water column. Very sensitive to extra-aquatic sounds. Head sensory canal system allows to track the wakes [a trail of hydrodynamic and chemical signatures left by a swimming fish] of prey up to 10 seconds old over distances up to 55 times the length of the prey. Larvae and juveniles benthic and negatively phototactic, feeding on a wide variety of invertebrates and fish. Adults feed on fish and other aquatic vertebrates.
Systems
- Freshwater
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/40713 |
Silurus glanis populations appear to be stable. They are protected by Appendix III of the Bern Convention. In areas where these fish have been introduced, negative ecological consequences have been noted.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Silurus_glanis/ |
benthopelagic; non-migratory; freshwater; brackish; depth range 0 - 30 m (Ref. 9988)
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Susan M. Luna, FishBase |
Source | http://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=289 |
Red List Criteria
Year Assessed
Assessor/s
Reviewer/s
Contributor/s
History
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1996Lower Risk/least concern (LR/lc)
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1996Lower Risk/least concern (LR/lc)
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/40713 |
This species has been introduced or released in Dutch waters.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License |
Source | http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=154677 |
Population
Population Trend
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Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/40713 |
Inhabits large and medium size lowland rivers, backwaters and well vegetated lakes (Ref. 59043). Occurs mainly in large lakes and rivers, though occasionally enters brackish water in the Baltic and Black Seas (Ref. 9988). Found in deep waters of dams constructed on the lower reaches of rivers (Ref. 9696). A nocturnal predator, foraging near bottom and in water column. Larvae and juveniles are benthic, feeding on a wide variety of invertebrates and fish. Adults prey on fish and other aquatic vertebrates. Attains first sexual maturity at 2-3 years of age (Ref. 59043). Spawns in the salt water of the Aral Sea (at Kulandy) (Ref. 1441). Marketed fresh, canned and frozen; can be pan-fried and baked (Ref. 9988). Locally threatened due to river regulation destroying shallow spawning sites (Ref. 59043).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Susan M. Luna, FishBase |
Source | http://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=289 |
Silurus glanis fry feed on plankton during their first year of life. When they reach larger sizes they begin to eat worms, snails, crustaceans, aquatic insects, and small fish. At adult sizes they will also prey on ducks, voles, crayfish, fish, eels, frogs, rats, coypu, and snakes. They use the incredible suction created by suddenly opening their large mouths to take in prey.
Both the top and bottom jaws each have hundreds of inward sloping, soft teeth used to grip prey. There are two "crushing plates" in front of the throat cavity used to crush prey before swallowing. Silurus glanis manipulate their prey prior to consumption by using several short spikes along the edge of the gill rakers.
Animal Foods: birds; mammals; amphibians; reptiles; fish; carrion ; insects; mollusks; terrestrial worms; aquatic crustaceans; zooplankton
Plant Foods: phytoplankton
Primary Diet: carnivore (Eats terrestrial vertebrates, Piscivore ); planktivore
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Silurus_glanis/ |
Major Threats
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/40713 |