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Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Schilbeidae (Schilbid catfishes)
Etymology: mandibularis: From the Latin "mandibula" (lower jaw), probably referring to the rather well developed outer mandibular barbels (Ref. 43912).
More on author: Günther.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243). Tropical; 8°N - 5°N
Africa: St. Paul River in Liberia up to the Pra in Ghana, including the rivers St. John, Farmington, Cess/Nipoué, Cavally, San Pedro, Sassandra, Boubo, Bandama, Agnébi, Comoé and Tano Rivers (Ref. 57127). Reports from the Ouémé River in Benin and the Volta basin need confirmation; reports from the Congo basin and Wouri River (Cameroon) are based on misidentified specimens of other species (Ref. 43912).
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 14.8, range 19 - ? cm
Max length : 50.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 43912)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 1. Diagnosis: large species, up to 300 mm SL or more (Ref. 57127). Anterior nostrils never closer to each other than the posterior ones; inner margin of pectoral-fin spine finely denticulate; 39-70 branched anal-fin rays; 8-15 gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch; adipose fin always present (Ref. 43912, 57127). Lower jaw reaching as far as or a little shorter than upper jaw; brownish longitudinal stripes along sides and anal fin (Ref. 43912).
Found in riverine and lacustrine conditions; prefers freshwater but has also been recorded from brackish water lagoons in mixohaline water; voracious and carnivorous (Ref. 43912). Feed mainly on (terrestrial) insects (Ref. 6868, 43912) and fish, but also fruits, amphibians, small rodents and Arachnida have been found in stomachs (Ref. 43912). Oviparous, eggs are unguarded (Ref. 205).
Distinct pairing (Ref. 205).
De Vos, L., 1986. Schilbeidae. p. 36-53. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 2. (Ref. 3570)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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