Eutropius congensis (non Leach, 1818) Misapplied name
Eutropius depressirostris (Peters, 1852)
Eutropius grenfelli (non Boulenger, 1900)
Eutropius liberiensis (non Hubrecht, 1881)
Eutropius mentalis (non Boulenger, 1901)
Eutropius nilotica (Rüppell, 1829)
Eutropius niloticus (Rüppell, 1829)
Eutropius niloticus niloticus (Rüppell, 1829)
Eutropius obtusirostris Günther, 1864
Eutropius sp. Not applicable Ambiguous synonym
Hypophthalmus niloticus Rüppell, 1829
Scheilbe mystus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Schilbe auratus Joannis, 1835
Schilbe bipinnatus Ehrenberg, 1840
Schilbe bouvieri Rochebrune, 1885
Schilbe dispela (non Günther, 1864)
Schilbe dispila (non Günther, 1864)
Schilbe emini Pfeffer, 1896
Schilbe hasselquistii Valenciennes, 1840
Schilbe mystus fasciata Steindachner, 1870
Schilbe mystus fasciatus Steindachner, 1870
Schilbe mystus mystus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Schilbe niloticus (Rüppell, 1829)
Schilbe palmeri (non Svensson, 1933)
Schilbe senegalensis (non Günther, 1864)
Schilbe senegallus (non Valenciennes, 1840)
Schilbe steindachneri Guimaraes, 1884
Schilbe uranoscopus (non Rüppell, 1932)
Scilbe mystus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Silurus mystus Linnaeus, 1758
The African butter catfish (Schilbe mystus) is a species of fish in the family Schilbeidae. It is native to many major river systems in Africa.[3] Other common names for the fish include butter fish, butter barbel, African glass catfish, lubangu, mystus catfish, silver barbel, and silver catfish.[1][3] It was originally described as Silurus mystus by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.[4][3]
Description
The African butter catfish has a compressed body and an adipose fin is always present.[5] It can grow up to 40 centimetres (16 in) TL and has reported up to a maximum weight of 250 grams (8.8 oz).[5] It is a brownish color on the head and the dorsal surface of the fish, and silvery-white on the underside.[3] The fins are usually colorless.[3][5] The lifespan of the fish is estimated to be 6 to 7 years[5]
It is commonly found in standing or slowly flowing open water of lakes, ponds, rivers, and shallow swamps where vegetation is present.[4][3] It is occasionally found in sandy or rocky streams, or shallow flood plains.[4] It feeds from mid-water and surface waters on fish, insects, crustaceans, ostracods, snails, seeds, leaves, roots, diatoms, algae, and fruit.[6][4][3][7] It has been noted to feed on the fish species Elephant snout (Hyperopisus bebe) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).[7] The species is most active at night or in subdued light.[3] It spawns in the rainy season in September and October, by migrating into the floodwaters and tributaries of rivers and streams to spawn.[6] It may spawn in multiple locations, depositing eggs on vegetation.[4]
Uses
This fish is of commercial importance in many parts of Africa as an important food fish.[4] It is also sold in the aquarium trade.[4] In northern Africa, the fish faces threats from dams, water pollution, drought, and water depletion.[4] Overall, the species is listed by the IUCN as Least Concern for central, northern, northeastern, and western Africa. In eastern Africa, the species is in serious decline due to overfishing and exploitation and is assessed regionally as Vulnerable.[4]
