African butter catfish

Schilbe intermedius

Also known as Silver butter catfish, Grass cutter catfish

FreshwaterFish

African butter catfish (Schilbe intermedius) — The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–82°F (23–28°C)
pH: 6.5–7.8
Adult size: 19.7 in (50 cm)
Minimum tank: 264 gal (1,000 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Difficult
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Most of tropical Africa, Nile to the Zambezi
Family: Schilbeidae

Overview

A large, restless, open-water catfish that swims almost constantly rather than resting on the bottom. In nature it travels in shoals, so a group suits it best where the tank can take it, though even a single fish needs enormous space. It does not bully its own kind, but it is a hunter that eats fish it can swallow, so any tankmates must be too large to become a meal. Feed meaty foods: fish fillet, prawn, mussel, earthworms and large sinking pellets. This is a fish for a very big aquarium, at least 1000 liters, with strong filtration, open swimming length and a secure lid.

In the wild

The African butter catfish ranges across much of tropical Africa, from the Nile to the Zambezi, living in the open and shallow waters of large rivers and lakes and moving up into rivers to breed. Keep it warm, about 23 to 28 C, in neutral water around pH 6.5 to 7.8. It is a fish of open water rather than cover, so leave long clear swimming lanes, with some driftwood and shade at the sides and firm, well-oxygenated flow.

Good to know

Schilbe intermedius is a schilbeid catfish that commonly reaches about 30 centimeters and can grow to roughly 50, with females larger than males. Young fish take insects and invertebrates, but adults become mainly piscivorous, hunting other fish. It breeds in the rainy season, migrating in compact shoals, though it is not known to spawn in aquaria. A slender silver body and long anal fin mark it out as an open-water cruiser built for the chase.

Did you know

Across much of Africa this is a staple food fish, netted from the Nile to the Zambezi, and it climbs toward the surface to feed after dark, then drops back down as the light returns.

Tank mates

African butter catfish is a mostly peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.