Home · Schilbeidae · Yangambi butterbarbel
Yangambi butterbarbel (Schilbe yangambianus) — Schilbeidae

Yangambi butterbarbel

Schilbe yangambianus
Family: Schilbeidae
LC · Least Concern

The Yangambi butterbarbel (Schilbe yangambianus) is a freshwater fish of the family Schilbeidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Freshwater of the Congo basin in Central Africa.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Want the complete picture on the Yangambi butterbarbel?

Get the app

Description

The Yangambi butterbarbel is an African catfish of the family Schilbeidae from the Congo basin. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate, laterally compressed body, an adipose fin and long barbels with which it probes the substrate. It prefers smaller forest streams with a rocky or sandy bottom. The species is mainly nocturnal and probably carnivorous, with a preference for terrestrial and fallen insects. It is fished locally and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yangambi butterbarbel?

The Yangambi butterbarbel has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Has an adipose fin and long barbels; nocturnal forest-stream catfish.

Where does the Yangambi butterbarbel live?

The Yangambi butterbarbel lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Freshwater of the Congo basin in Central Africa.

How big does the Yangambi butterbarbel get?

The Yangambi butterbarbel grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Yangambi butterbarbel dangerous to humans?

No, the Yangambi butterbarbel is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Yangambi butterbarbel edible?

The Yangambi butterbarbel is rarely eaten.

More photos

Yangambi butterbarbel (Schilbe yangambianus) — Schilbeidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Rob Palmer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Yangambi butterbarbel?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Yangambi butterbarbel is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Yangambi butterbarbel verified
Scientific name
Schilbe yangambianus
Family
Schilbeidae
Other names
Yangambi butterbarbel; Yangambi catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Freshwater of the Congo basin in Central Africa. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Terrestrial insects and insects fallen into the water sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Reproduction coincides with the rainy season. inferred
Special features
Has an adipose fin and long barbels; nocturnal forest-stream catfish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Schilbe

More from the family Schilbeidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Yangambi butterbarbel?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Yangambi butterbarbel is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Yangambi butterbarbel? Get the app