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Schilbeidae (Schilbid catfishes)
Etymology: occidentalis: From the Latin "occidentalis" (western), referring to the origin of the type material of this species, Cap Lopez, Gabon, West coast of Africa (Ref. 43912).
More on author: Pellegrin.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; brackish; demersal. Tropical; 0°S - 15°S
Africa: Ogooué and Djoungou River drainages (Gabon) southwards to the drainages of the Kouilou and Loeme (Republic of Congo), Chiloango, Luculla and Quanza (Angola) and the lower Congo River (Ref. 3570, 78218, 81643).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 7.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 81643)
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 51 - 68. Diagnosis: adipose fin present; inner side of pectoral spine feebly serrated, with small to very small serrations; 51-68 soft anal fin rays; vomerine teeth usually absent; a dark triangular blotch at base of caudal fin (Ref. 43912, 81643).
Confined to large and moderate rivers; sometimes penetrates into estuaries; gregarious schooling species, such schools probably an important prey for several larger carnivorous species (Ref. 43912). Oviparous, eggs are unguarded (Ref. 205). Maximum TL reported 85 mm (Ref. 43912).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Distinct pairing (Ref. 205).
De Vos, L., 1995. Results of a systematic revision of African schilbeids at the species level. p.113-364. In L. De Vos. A systematic revision of the African Schilbeidae (Teleostei, Siluriformes) with an annotated bibliography, Chapter 3. Ann. Mus. R. Afr. Centr. Zool. vol. 271. (Ref. 33556)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5312 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00589 (0.00269 - 0.01291), b=3.03 (2.84 - 3.22), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.3 ±0.4 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).