Author: (Linnaeus, 1758)
FBname: African butter catfish
Remark: This species was commonly known as <i>Schilbe (Eutropius) niloticus</i>; the morphological examination of the holotype of <i>Silurus mystus</i> Linnaeus, 1758 (De Vos and Skelton, 1990) has shown that this specimen and <i>Schilbe (Eutropius) niloticus</i> Rüppel, 1829 belong to the same species; this results in the substitution of the name <i>S. niloticus</i> by the oldest name available, in this case, <i>S. mystus</i>.
Comments: Lacustrine as well as fluviatile species, confined to lakes and moderate to large rivers (Ref. 43912).  Shoals in standing or slowly flowing open water with emergent or submerged vegetation.  Generally more active at night or in subdued light.  Feed from mid-water and surface waters on a wide variety of foods including fish, insects, shrimps, snails, plant seeds, and fruit.   Oviparous, eggs are unguarded (Ref. 205).  Often important spawning migrations occur (Ref. 43912).  Breed during the rainy season and may be either a single or multiple spawner in different localities, laying eggs on vegetation.  May live up to 6-7 years (Ref. 7248).  Max total length 45.0mm (Ref. 43912).  Also caught with drawnets.  In general considered as a flavoured, first class eating fish (Ref. 43912).