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CATFISH
SCHILBEIDAE FAMILY
The Schilbeidae or Glass Catfish Family is found throughout Africa and Asia and includes the genera Eutropiellus, Parailia, and Schilbe. About 45 species are
included in this family. [the Glass Catfish from Southeast Asia]
Flag-tailed Glass catfish, African Glass Catfish[Pictures]
Eutropiellus buffei
SYN: Eutropius buffei, Eutropiellus vanderweyeri
PD: This catfish is elongated and has a distinctive, wide longitudinal black line that extends the length of the body. It has three pair of barbels and its dorsal fin is
tall. The body coloring is white to blue and somewhat translucent. There are two other stripes that become more pronounced with age. One extends along the top
of the back, while the other along the belly. In reflected light sometimes parts of this fish are gold to red. The African Glass Catfish has a long anal fin that is
deeply forked. Its eyes are large while the mouth is small. The fins are transparent.
SIZE: To 3.2" (8 cm)
SS: A similar species, Eutropiellus debauwi, from Malebo Pool (part of Stanley Pool, Zaire) can be distinguished by its rounded tips on the caudal fins. E.
debauwi is rarely seen.
HAB: Near riverbanks in floodplains. Central Africa: Southern Nigeria; Niger River watershed
S: middle
TANK: 32" (80 cm) or 30 gallons (114 l). Provide well-planted corners for retreats. The tank should have dim lighting caused by a cover of floating plants.
The tank should be arranged in dark colors to help comfort the fish. Use a filter that provides strong current and leave open swimming areas.
WATER: pH 6-7.5 (6.8), 1-16 dH (7), 75-82°F (24-28°C)
SB: A peaceful, schooling fish that can be kept in a community tank. Keep in groups of at least six or more individuals. Single fish do poorly.
SC: Synodontis, Congo Tetras, Kribensis, Steatocranus
FOOD: Live; insect larvae, Tubifex, Brine Shrimp; flake.
SEX: Females are plumper
B: Stimulating the rainy season helps initiate spawning. Keep one male with two females. Up to 100, white eggs are laid among plants and they hatch in 2-5
days. The parents should be removed after eggs are laid. Fry are difficult to raise, try feeding them small live foods like Artemia. Once fry are established, they
grow quickly.
BP: 9. Breeding this catfish is very difficult.
R: This fish may nibble plants if not fed sufficient amounts of food. This fish's caudal fin is constantly moving, when resting or swimming. This fish may get
caught in a net because of spines on the dorsal and pectoral fins. Instead, use a glass or plastic bag to catch this catfish. This species was formally known as E.
vanderweyeri. Regular water changes are needed to keep this catfish in top condition.
DC: 4. A pleasant fish that requires a diet supplemented with live foods.
African Glass Catfish, Congo Glass Catfish
Parailia congica
SYN: Parailia longifilis
PD: Its body is elongated and laterally compressed. It is scaleless and lack body pigment, thus making the fish semi-transparent. The body color is light brown
and small brown spots cover the body. The internal organs and backbone can be seen. A dark brown stripe runs the vertebrate and extends to the tip of the tail.
A line of small spots runs along the bottom part of the fish's body. A long pair of barbels are located on the upper jaw, while two slightly shorter pairs and one
small pair are located on the lower. This glass catfish lacks dorsal and adipose fins.
SIZE: To 3" (8 cm)
SS: Kryptopterus, Omnpok, Parailia
HAB: West Africa; Stanley Pool of the Zaire River.
S: bottom, middle
TANK: 32" (80 cm) or 30 gallons (114 L). Provide good aeration and moderate current. The water should be very clean and clear. The tank should be
well-planted. Provide hiding places with rocks, roots, and wood.
WATER: pH 6.5 to 7.5 (6.9), 2-15 dH (8), 73-79°F (23-26°C)
SB: A shy, peaceful community fish that should be kept in a shoal of at least four fish. Individual specimen do poorly. A diurnal catfish.
SC: Synodontis, Congo Tetras, Kribensis, Steatocranus, Eutropiellus, tetras
FOOD: Live; insect larvae, Brine Shrimp, Tubifex, aquatic and terrestrial insects; flake. This fish must be fed live foods 1-2 times a week to stay healthy.
SEX: Females are said to be plumper.
B: Has not been reported. By feeding a pair mosquito larvae and Daphnia, keeping them in a clean tank, and stimulating the rainy season; spawning should be
possible.
BP: 10. Breeding has not been accomplished in aquaria
R: Very sensitive to water pollutants. Perform frequent partial water changes.
DC: 5. A sensitive fish that requires a diet of live foods.
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Recent news
New Yangtze River dam could doom more endangered species
(06/22/2009)
Eight Chinese environmentalists and scientists have composed a letter warning that a new dam under consideration for the Yangtze River could lead to the extinction of several endangered species. The letter contends that Xiaonanhia Dam, which would be 30 kilometers upstream from the city of Chongqing, will negatively impact the river’s only fish reserve. Spanning 400 kilometers in the upper Yangtze, the reserve is home to 180 fish species, including the Endangered Chinese sturgeon, and the Critically Endangered Chinese paddlefish, as well as the finless porpoise.
Fish take less than a decade to evolve
(06/22/2009)
Evolution is often thought of being a slow-process, taking thousands, if not millions, of years. However a new study in The American Naturalist found that Trinidadian guppies underwent evolution in just eight years, or thirty generations. Less than a decade ago Swanne Gordon, a graduate student at UC Riverside, and her team introduced Trinidadian guppies into the Damier River in the Caribbean island of Trinidad. They placed the guppies above a waterfall to allow them to flourish in a largely predator-free environment.
Madfish?: scientist warns that farmed fish could be a source of mad cow disease
(06/17/2009)
In a paper that shows just how strange our modern world has become, Robert P. Friedland, neurologist from the University of Louisville, warns that farmed fish could be at risk of Creutzfeldt Jakob disease, or mad cow disease.
New report predicts dire consequences for every U.S. region from global warming
(06/17/2009)
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Will jellyfish take over the world?
(06/16/2009)
It could be a plot of a (bad) science-fiction film: a man-made disaster creates spawns of millions upon millions of jellyfish which rapidly take over the ocean. Humans, starving for mahi-mahi and Chilean seabass, turn to jellyfish, which becomes the new tuna (after the tuna fishery has collapsed, of course). Fish sticks become jelly-sticks, and fish-and-chips becomes jelly-and-chips. The sci-fi film could end with the ominous image of a jellyfish evolving terrestrial limbs and pulling itself onto land—readying itself for a new conquest.
Marine scientist calls for abstaining from seafood to save oceans
(06/08/2009)
In April marine scientist Jennifer Jacquet made the case on her blog Guilty Planet that people should abstain from eating seafood to help save life in the ocean. With fish populations collapsing worldwide and scientists sounding warnings that ocean ecosystems—as edible resources—have only decades left, it is perhaps surprising that Jacquet’s call to abstain from consuming seafood is a lone voice in the wilderness, but thus far few have called for seafood lovers to abstain.
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