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Broadhead catfish (Schilbe laticeps) — Schilbeidae

Broadhead catfish

Schilbe laticeps
Family: Schilbeidae
LC · Least Concern

The Broadhead catfish (Schilbe laticeps) is a freshwater fish of the family Schilbeidae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
26.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The broadhead catfish is an African glass catfish (Schilbeidae) from rivers and lakes of the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a laterally compressed, silvery body with four pairs of barbels, an adipose fin and a long anal fin. As an omnivore it swims in schools in open water and eats insects, small fish, shrimp and plant matter. It is locally an important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Broadhead catfish?

The Broadhead catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Broadhead catfish live?

The Broadhead catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Broadhead catfish get?

The Broadhead catfish grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the Broadhead catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Broadhead catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Broadhead catfish edible?

Yes, the Broadhead catfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Breedkop-glasmeerval sourced
English name
Broadhead catfish sourced
Scientific name
Schilbe laticeps
Family
Schilbeidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. 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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