Glass schilbid
📖 Overview
Gregarious schooling species confined to larger lakes and rivers . Benthic species, occurs in deep water . Feeds mainly on small planktonic and benthic insects and crustaceans . Oviparous, eggs are unguarded . Rarely exceeds 15 cm TL . Usually smoked or sun-dried, after which they are very tasty and may fetch high prices; sometimes ground into fish flour or fish meal and stored for long periods in sealed containers as an insurance against famine .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 60 - 78; Vertebrae: 44 - 50. Diagnosis: dorsal fin absent; adipose fin always present; inner side of pectoral-fin spine variably denticulate, with small to rather well developed serrations; 60-78 soft rays in anal fin . Vomerine teeth present . In general no small dark blotch at the base of the caudal fin . : elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Glass schilbid is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Distinct pairing .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 6.5 - 7.2; dH range: 5 - 15; potamodromous . Tropical; 25°C - 28°C West Africa (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
small planktonic and benthic insects and crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Glass schilbid is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 16.2 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 389 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Glass schilbid has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | African glass catfish · Glass Catfish · Glass Schilbid |
| 🌍CES | sumčík skleněný |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Glas-smørmalle · Glas-smormalle |
| 🇩🇪German | Afrikanischer Glaswels · Niglaswels |
| 🌍EWE | Genua · Genugbe |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | Niilinkuultomonni |
| 🌍HAU | Balo · Mai Gaishi · Rampari |
| 🌍KAU | Manja |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Африканский стеклянный сомик |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 62 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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