Family Siluridae

Sheatfishes

A family of approximately 13 genera and 107 species is found in Europe and Asia. A very long anal fin characterises them, as well as the absence of an adipose fin, the lack of a dorsal spine, and, in some cases, the absence of the entire dorsal fin. Some species are relatively small, with an adult length of approximately 50 mm SL, as observed in the glass catfish Kryptopterus minor from Southeast Asia. However, other species are considerably larger, with Silurus glanis reaching lengths of over 2000 mm. These fishes inhabit the lower strata of rivers and lakes, where they prey on smaller fish.

Further reading. Bornbusch 1991, 1995 (systematics).