Schilbe uranoscopus (Egyptian butter catfish)

(Source: Fishbase, 2020)

Scientific Name: Schilbe uranoscopus

Common Name: Egyptian butter catfish

Genus: Schilbe

Species: uranoscopus

Ijaw Name: Hain

Family: Schilbeidae

Habitat: Rivers

Gear Type: Fishing Nets/Hooks

Season of Occurrence: Raining season

Description: The Egyptian butter catfish, is one of several catfish species found in Africa, known for its distinct features and ecological importance. It belongs to the *Schilbeidae* family, a group that includes species commonly referred to as butter catfish or African glass catfish. However, specific details about *S. uranoscopus* are less documented in popular databases, with some of its details overlapping with those of *Schilbe mystus* and other *Schilbe* species. These species generally inhabit rivers, lakes, and shallow swamps, preferring areas with vegetation, and are often part of the commercial fish trade in Africa. These catfish are known for feeding on a variety of organisms, including fish, insects, and crustaceans. They are often most active at night and are vital to the aquatic ecosystems in which they live. Their ability to spawn in floodwaters during rainy seasons contributes to their population dynamics, although the species faces environmental pressures like overfishing, water pollution, and the impacts of dam constructions, especially in Eastern Africa.