Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Schilbeidae (Schilbid catfishes)
Etymology: pellucida: From the Latin "pellucidus" (translucent, transparent), referring to the translucent body in live individuals of this "glass catfish" (Ref. 43912).
More on author: Boulenger.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 6.5 - 7.2; dH range: 5 - 15; potamodromous (Ref. 51243). Tropical; 25°C - 28°C (Ref. 2060)
Africa: Upper Nile to West Africa (Ref. 33556). In west Africa in the Chad basin, Niger, Senegal, Boubo, Bandama, Agnébi, Volta, Mono, Ouémé, Ogun, coastal lagoons of Nigeria and Cross (Ref. 57127). In lower Guinea limited to the Cross and Wouri Rivers (Ref. 81643).
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?, range 5 - ? cm
Max length : 12.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 57127)
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 60 - 78; Vertebrae: 44 - 50. Diagnosis: dorsal fin absent; adipose fin always present; inner side of pectoral-fin spine variably denticulate, with small to rather well developed serrations; 60-78 soft rays in anal fin (Ref. 43912, 57127, 81643). Vomerine teeth present (Ref. 43912, 81643). In general no small dark blotch at the base of the caudal fin (Ref. 81643).
Gregarious schooling species confined to larger lakes and rivers (Ref. 43912). Benthic species, occurs in deep water (Ref. 13851). Feeds mainly on small planktonic and benthic insects and crustaceans (Ref. 13851, 43912). Oviparous, eggs are unguarded (Ref. 205). Rarely exceeds 15 cm TL (Ref. 43912). Usually smoked or sun-dried, after which they are very tasty and may fetch high prices; sometimes ground into fish flour or fish meal and stored for long periods in sealed containers as an insurance against famine (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
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Tools
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Internet sources
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=0.00550 (0.00326 - 0.00928), b=3.12 (2.97 - 3.27), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & (Sub)family-body (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.5 ±0.47 se; based on food items.
Generation time: 1.7 ( na - na) years. Estimated as median ln(3)/K based on 1
growth studies.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (22 of 100).
Nutrients (Ref.
124155): Calcium = 275 [116, 659] mg/100g; Iron = 1.76 [0.85, 3.46] mg/100g; Protein = 16.2 [14.4, 18.0] %; Omega3 = 0.389 [0.155, 0.997] g/100g; Selenium = 63.6 [26.0, 195.5] μg/100g; VitaminA = 61.4 [23.2, 153.2] μg/100g; Zinc = 2.14 [1.45, 3.10] mg/100g (wet weight);
