Butterfish
📖 Overview
Pelagic, occurs large and moderate lakes and rivers . In the Sudd, they occur beneath fringing Eichornia . Microphagous, feeding mainly on algae and occasionally rotifers, planktonic and benthic crustaceans, immature insects and mud/debris . Probably reproduces during the floods, migrating from lakes to rivers; howver in Lake Kainji fish were reported to migrate from the river to the Lake to spawn . Oviparous, eggs are unguarded . Max. reported total length 175 mm . Might locally represent an important species for fisheries since it is sometimes extremely abundant, but this may be negated by its small size .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 67 - 87. Diagnosis: 67-87 anal-fin rays; 49-60 thin and flexible gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch; 4 pairs of well developed barbels; small, spineless dorsal fin with 4-5 branched rays; jaws and palatine bones entirely without teeth . : elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Butterfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Butterfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Distinct pairing .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous . Tropical; 35°N - 5°N
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Butterfish |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Shelbah Wednah Asslie · Shilba Areanna |
| 🌍CES | sumčík zlatý |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Длиннопёрый шильбовый сом |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 28 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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