Schilbe mystus
(African butter catfish)

Pictures

Identity

Preferred Scientific Name

• Schilbe mystus Linnaeus, 1758

Preferred Common Name

• African butter catfish

Other Scientific Names

• Bagrus adansonii Valenciennes, 1840
• Bagrus depressirostris Peters, 1852
• Bagrus schilbeides Valenciennes, 1840
• Bagrus schilbeoides Valenciennes, 1840
• Bagrus schilboides Valenciennes, 1840
• Eutropius adansonii Valenciennes, 1840
• Eutropius altipinnis Steindachner, 1894
• Eutropius congensis (non Leach, 1818)
• Eutropius depressirostris (Peters, 1852)
• Eutropius grenfelli (non Boulenger, 1900)
• Eutropius lemairii Boulenger, 1900
• Eutropius liberiensis (non Hubrecht, 1881)
• Eutropius mentalis (non Boulenger, 1901)
• Eutropius nilotica (Ruppell, 1829)
• Eutropius niloticus (Ruppell, 1829)
• Eutropius niloticus niloticus (Ruppell, 1829)
• Eutropius obtusirostris Gunther, 1864
• Hypophthalmus niloticus Ruppell, 1829
• Schilbe auratus Joannis, 1835
• Schilbe bipinnatus Ehrenberg, 1840
• Schilbe bouvieri Rochebrune, 1885
• Schilbe dispela (non Gunther, 1864)
• Schilbe dispila (non Gunther, 1864)
• Schilbe emini Pfeffer, 1896
• Schilbe hasselquistii Valenciennes, 1840
• Schilbe mystus fasciata Steindachner, 1870
• Schilbe mystus fasciatus Steindachner, 1870
• Schilbe niloticus (Ruppell, 1829)
• Schilbe palmeri (non Svensson, 1933)
• Schilbe senegalensis (non Gunther, 1864)
• Schilbe senegallus (non Valenciennes, 1840)
• Schilbe steindachneri Guimaraes, 1884
• Schilbe uranoscopus (non Ruppell, 1932)
• Silurus mystus Linnaeus, 1758

International Common Names

• English: butter barbel; butter catfish; butterfish; mystus catfish; silver barbell; silver catfish
• Arabic: shilba arabie; shilba seefarea; shilbaya aravbia; umm dankis

Local Common Names

• Angola: kansema; zeza
• Burkina Faso: gari; siyegwe; tidga
• Chad: badigiri; doring; let; longre; zare
• Denmark: Afrikansk smormalle
• Finland: hopeamonni; viherkuultomonni; vihertaplalasimonni
• Ghana: gada-sagbadakoe; gada-sofla; tasaa; tasaa
• Malawi: dande
• Namibia: silwerbaber
• Nigeria: asan; balo; bambui; bou-anyi; elangi; harya; nalanga
• Senegal: khele
• South Africa: botterbaber; botter-baber; silwerbaber
• Sudan: aglung; atyeno; cur; nzengenzenge; then
• Sweden: silvermal
• Tanzania: mtanda; nembe
• Zambia: impata; lupata

Summary of Invasiveness

S. mystus is a catfish native to Africa. Only one recorded introduction, to China, is available. A previous introduction into the Congo River Basin, through natural diffusion from neighbouring countries, was based on misidentification of S. grenfelli according to De Vos (1995). There are very few recorded impacts of this species.

Taxonomic Tree

• Domain: Eukaryota
•     Kingdom: Metazoa
•         Phylum: Chordata
•             Subphylum: Vertebrata
•                 Class: Actinopterygii
•                     Order: Siluriformes
•                         Family: Schilbeidae
•                             Genus: Schilbe
•                                 Species: Schilbe mystus

Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature

The genus Schilbe was originally described by Oken (1871) and was characterised by catfishes with an unusual compressed tapered body with a long anal fin, depressed head with large mouth, and a short, deep abdomen. It was separated from the similar genus Eutropius by the presence of a small adipose fin in the latter. However, this proved to be an unreliable character to separate the two genera because these traits are variously present in some Schilbe species such as S. intermedius.

The type specimen of the synonymized Schilbe genus was taken as Silurus mystusLinnaeus (1758), which was also taken as the type for Schilbe mystus (Fernholm and Wheeler, 1989; De Vos and Skeleton, 1990). Further examination of the Schilbe mystus type specimen by De Vos and Skelton (1990) revealed it to be conspecific with Schilbe niloticus (Rüppell, 1829). Therefore, because of binomen priority, the older name Schilbe mystus replaced Schilbe niloticus and the species that was mistakenly accepted as S. mystus was revalidated as S. intermedius Rüppell 1832.

Description

From Paugy et al. (2004):

The position of the anterior nostrils is closer to each other than are the posterior nostrils. The pectoral fin spine is strongly denticulate posteriorly. The nasal barbel reaches to the anterior eye margin, but never extends beyond the hind margin of eye. The mouth is sub terminal. There are 45-64 branched anal-fin rays and 9-14 gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch. The adipose fin is always present. Rayed dorsal fin absent (De Vos, 1995). The maximum reported size is 350 mm SL. The head and the dorsal surface are brownish, the flanks and belly silvery-white and the fins are usually colourless.

Distribution

S. mystus is widely distributed in West Africa (Paugy et al., 2004) where it is found in the following river basins: Chad, Senegal, Corubal, Geba, Great Scarcies, Mano, Loffa, Moa, St. Paul, Volta, Mono, Ouémé, Ogun, Niger and Cross.

In Central Africa it occurs in the Cross Wouri and Sanaga basins, and in East Africa it is present in the Semliki River, Lake Albert and Albert Nile. In northern Africa it occurs in the Nile River, from the Nile Delta to Lake Nasse, the Baro River and Rift lakes, Ethiopia, as well as Lake Roseires on the Blue Nile.

Caution should be excised when examining the documented distribution records of the African butter catfish outside its native range, especially records attributed to southern Africa. This is because the southern African congener was previously known as Schilbe mystus, but was revalidated to Schilbe intermedius Rüppel 1832 (De Vos and Skelton, 1990), but documented occurrence records have not been changed to reflect this change in taxonomy.

Distribution Table

The distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.

History of Introduction and Spread

There is limited information on the introduction of S. mystus into novel areas outside its natural distribution. The one recorded introduction was to China in 1976 from Sudan, by government authorities for aquacultural purposes. There is, however, no information on whether this introduction was successful. Previous reports of feral populations established in the Congo River Basin were based on misidentification of S. grenfelli according to De Vos (1995).

Introductions

Habitat

S. mystus is a shoaling species that is normally found in open water of lakes and rivers where there is emergent or submerged vegetation. Its unusual body form (depressed head with large mouth, short deep abdomen, and compressed, tapered body with long anal fin) makes it well adapted to standing or running water.

Habitat List

Biology and Ecology

Genetics

Limited specific genetic work has been done on S. mystus. The only available work details the protein variation in several populations in Ghana (Gilbert and Bailey, 1972; Abban, 1988; Abban and Skibinski, 1988).

Reproductive Biology

S. mystus is potamodromous seasonal spawner that migrates into the tributaries of rivers and streams during the rainy season to breed. Females are generally larger than males, and the age of sexual maturity varies among systems, but in general females mature between 11-16 cm and males 12-15 cm TL. Females lay eggs on vegetation and form distinct breeding pairs (Breder and Rosen 1966).

Longevity

S. mystus can live up to 6-7 years

Activity Patterns

S. mystus is potamodromous, migrating into the tributaries of rivers and streams during the rainy season to breed. It is generally more active at night or in subdued light.

Population Size and Density

Largely unknown, although some reservoir studies have reported it as a common but not abundant species (e.g. Olatunde 1977; Eccles 1992; Ochumba and Manyala, 1992; Baijot and Moreau, 1997).

Nutrition

S. mystus is an omnivore that feeds on a wide variety of foods including fish, insects, shrimps, snails, plant seeds and fruit (Whitehead, 1969; Adebisi, 1981; Hickley and Bailey, 1987). This reflects its ability to utilize a wide range of habitats, including open standing water and slowly flowing water, as well as shallow littoral areas with submerged or emergent vegetation.

Natural Food Sources

Climate

Natural enemies

Means of Movement and Dispersal

Intentional Introduction

Introduced into China from Sudan for aquacultural purposes in 1976 (FAO, 1997). 

Pathway Causes

Impact Summary

Impact

S. mystus is a commonly-fished species and provides a food source for humans across parts of Africa. However, the economic, social and environmental impacts of S. mystus are largely unknown.

Risk and Impact Factors

• Proved invasive outside its native range
• Has a broad native range
• Abundant in its native range
• Is a habitat generalist
• Capable of securing and ingesting a wide range of food

Uses List

General

• Pet/aquarium trade
• Sport (hunting, shooting, fishing, racing)

Human food and beverage

• Meat/fat/offal/blood/bone (whole, cut, fresh, frozen, canned, cured, processed or smoked)

Detection and Inspection

S. mystus is easily recognized by its unusual compressed and a tapered body form, depressed head with large mouth, short deep abdomen and long anal fin. Rayed dorsal fin absent; adipose fin present (De Vos, 1995).

Similarities to Other Species/Conditions

Within its native range, S. mystus can be distinguished from it congeners by the position of the anterior nostrils, which are closer to each other than posterior ones. In addition, the inner margin of the pectoral fin spine is strongly denticulate posteriorly and the adipose fin is always present.

References

Abban EK, 1988. Taxonomy and biochemical genetics of some African freshwater fish species. Cardiff, UK: University of Wales. Ph.D. Thesis.

Abban EK; Skibinski DOF, 1988. Protein variation in Schilbe mystus (L.) andEutropius niloticus (Rüppel) (Pisces siluriformes) in the Volta Basin of Ghana, West Africa. Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, 19:25-37.

Adams-Sow A, 1996. Fish and Fisheries of the Senegal River (Poissons et Pêches du Fleuve Sénégal. Fédération des Paysans Organisés du Département de Bakel, Dakar, Sénégal). Dakar, Sengal: Farmers Federation Organisation of the Department of Bakel, 106 pp.

Adebisi AA, 1981. Analyses of the stomach contents of the piscivorous fishes of the upper Ogun River in Nigeria. Hydrobiologia, 79(2):167-177.

Anonymous, 1998. Fisheries statistical bulletin, Kainji Lake, Northern Nigeria, 1997. Nigerian-German Kainji Lake Fisheries Promotion Project Technical Report Series 9, 9:29 pp.

Anonymous, 1999. Fish collection database of the National Museums of Kenya. Nairobi, Kenya: National Museums of Kenya.

Baijot E; Moreau J, 1997. Biology and demographic status of the main fish species in the reservoirs of Burkina Faso. In: Hydrobiological aspects of fisheries in small reservoirs in the Sahel region [ed. by Baijot, E. \Moreau, J. \Bouda, S.]. Wageningen, Netherlands: Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU, 79-110.

Bailey RG, 1994. Guide to the fishes of the River Nile in the Republic of the Sudan. Journal of Natural History, 28:937-970.

Boden G; Teugels GG; Hopkins CD, 1997. A systematic revision of the large-scaled Marcusenius with description of a new species from Cameroon (Teleostei: Osteoglossomorpha: Mormyridae). Journal of Natural History, 31:1645-1682.

Breder Jr CM; Rosen DE, 1966. Modes of Reproduction in Fishes. Jersey City, New Jersey, : T.F.H. Publications, 941 pp.

Dankwa HR; Abban EK; Teugels GG, 1999. Freshwater fishes of Ghana: identification, distribution, ecological and economic importance. Annales de la Musee Royale Afrique Central Tervuren, Sciences Zoologique, 283:53.

Diouf PS, 1996. University of Montpellier II. Theses and Documents Microfilms, 156. Paris, France: ORSTOM.

Eccles DH, 1992. FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Field guide to the freshwater fishes of Tanzania. Rome, Italy: FAO.

FAO, 1997. FAO database on introduced aquatic species. FAO database on introduced aquatic species. Rome, Italy: FAO, unpaginated. http://www.fao.org/fishery/dias

Fernholm B; Wheeler AA, 1983. Linnaean fish specimens in the Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 78(3):199-286.

Getahun A, 2007. An overview of the diversity and conservation status of the Ethiopian freshwater fauna. Journal of Afrotropical Zoology, Special Issue:87-96.

Gilbert CR; Bailey RM, 1972. Systematics and zoogeography of the American cyprinid fish Notropis (Opsopoeodus) Emiliae. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, 664:1-35.

Hickley P; Bailey RG, 1987. Food and feeding relationships of fish in the Sudd swamps (River Nile, southern Sudan). Journal of Fish Biology, 30:147-159.

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Ochumba PBO; Manyala JO, 1992. Distribution of fishes along the Sondu-Miriu River of Lake Victoria, Kenya with special reference to upstream migration, biology and yield. Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, 23:701-719.

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Olatunde AA, 1977. Studies on the biology of the family Schilbeidae. Reading, UK: University of Reading.

Oti EE, 2003. Studies on the ichthyofauna of Ehoma Floodplain, Afikpo Eastern Nigeria. Fish biodiversity: local studies as basis for global inferences, ACP-EU Fisheries Research Report, 14 [ed. by Palomares, M. L. D. \Samb, B. \Diouf, T. \Vakily, J. M. \Pauly, D.]. 123-131.

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Paugy D; Traoré K; Diouf PS, 1994. Ichthyological fauna of fresh waters of Africa West. Geographical overviews presented at the PARADI Symposium, Senegal, 15-20 November 1993. (Faune ichtyologique des eaux douces d'Afrique de l'Ouest.) Biological diversity of African fresh-and brackish water fishes, Annales de la Musee Royale Afrique Central Tervuren, Sciences Zoologique, 275:177.

Reed Burchard WJ; Hopson AJ; Jenness J; Yaro I, 1967. Fish and fisheries of Northern Nigeria., Nigeria: Ministry of Agriculture Northern Nigeria, 266 pp.

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Organizations

Belgium: Royal Museum for Central Africa, Leuvensesteenweg 13, 3080 Tervuren, http://www.africamuseum.be

Contributors

09/12/13 Original text by:

Tsungai Zengeya, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Distribution Maps