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Bocage's butter catfish (Schilbe bocagii) — Schilbeidae

Bocage's butter catfish

Schilbe bocagii
Family: Schilbeidae

The Bocage's butter catfish (Schilbe bocagii) is a freshwater fish of the family Schilbeidae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
24 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

Bocage's butter catfish is a catfish (Schilbeidae) from fresh water of Central and southern Africa. The species grows to about 24 cm and has a laterally compressed, silvery body with a long anal fin, a small adipose fin and several pairs of barbels. As an open-water omnivore it swims in schools in rivers and lakes and eats insects, small fish, crustaceans and plant material. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bocage's butter catfish?

The Bocage's butter catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Bocage's butter catfish live?

The Bocage's butter catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bocage's butter catfish get?

The Bocage's butter catfish grows to a maximum of about 24 cm.

Is the Bocage's butter catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bocage's butter catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bocages glasmeerval sourced
English name
Bocage's butter catfish sourced
Scientific name
Schilbe bocagii
Family
Schilbeidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
24.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Schilbe

More from the family Schilbeidae

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