Author: Rüppell, 1832
FBname: Silver catfish
Remark: Until recently, this species was known as <I>Schilbe mystus</I>, but De Vos and Skelton (1990) have shown, after morphological examination of the holotype of <I>Silurus mystus</I> Linnaeus, 1758, that this specimen belongs to the species generally known as <I>Schilbe (Eutropius) niloticus</I> (Rüppel, 1829); in accordance with the international code of zoological nomenclature, the older name, <I>Schilbe mystus</I>, should substitute the more recent name <I>Schilbe niloticus</I>; hence, the species erroneously considered to be <I>Schilbe mystus</I>, is now called <I>Schilbe intermedius</I> Rüppel, 1832, which is the oldest valid name (Ref. 57127).
Comments: Reported to be a pelagic species (Ref. 34290), generally abundant in open water, in both lacustrine and fluviatile conditions, often showing shoaling habits; seems to prefer large or rather large rivers and lakes and apparently rarely penetrates small rivers or small affluents (Ref. 43912). Occur mainly on shallow waters. Migrate to the surface at night (Ref. 34291). Surface feeder; nocturnal, omnivorous, voracious and predaceous (Ref. 43912). Feeds on fish (juvenile as well as adults), insects (aquatic as well as terrestrial ones, larvae as well as adult insects), molluscs, freshwater prawns and other crustaceans, algae and bottom-living and planktonic organisms; vegetable material and eggs were also reported from stomach contents (Ref. 43912). Primarily piscivorous at 13-34 cm TL (Ref. 34291, 43912). Rarely grow to lengths greater than 30 cm SL (Ref. 34290). Maximum total length recorded 60.5 cm (Ref. 43912), 52331). Maximum lifetime observed almost 10 years (Ref. 43912). Spawn throughout the year peaking once (Ref. 34291). Migrate into rivers in fairly compact schools during the rainy season to spawn in floodwater pools (Ref. 34291). Reproduction occurs at high water after the floods (Ref. 43912). Oviparous, eggs are unguarded (Ref. 205). Flesh edible and of good flavour; possible aquaculture species (Ref. 43912).