Butter Catfish
📖 Overview
Adapted to riverine and lacustrine conditions. Adults live mainly in the open waters; predatory, carnivorous but not strictly piscivorous. Young are essentially entomophagous . Oviparous, eggs are unguarded . Of some economic value to the fishermen especially in the Chad basin . Maximum reported total length 45 cm (Nile basin) .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal soft rays: 59 - 73; Vertebrae: 50 - 57. Diagnosis: 13-16 gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch; 57-75 branched anal-fin rays; eyes positioned dorso-laterally; adipose fin always absent . Often with a post-occipital hump, a character also sometimes found in Schilbe intermedius whose head profile is extremely variable . Posterior nostrils closer to each other than are anterior ones; nasal barbel at maximum reaching to midway between eye and opercle, but generally shorter; inner side of pectoral spine feebly serrated . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Butter Catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Distinct pairing .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous . Tropical
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Butter Catfish · Egyptian Butter Catfish |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Shelbah Abu Katif · Shelbah Arabi · Um Katif · Umketif |
| 🌍CES | sumčík egyptský |
| 🌍HAU | Natanga |
| 🌍KAU | Manja |
| 🌍YOR | Asan |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schilbe isidori | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 17 records indexed .
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