Butter catfish (Ompok bimaculatus)

Scientific name: Ompok bimaculatus Bloch, 1794

The Butter catfish (Ompok bimaculatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Siluridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 20–26°C (68–79°F). Native range: Asia, Afghanistan to China, Thailand and Borneo. Endangered status in the Western Ghats, India.

Butter catfish care at a glance

Temperature: 20–26°C (68–79°F)

Biology

Occurs in streams and rivers of all sizes with currents ranging from sluggish to moderate. Found in quiet, shallow (0.5-1.5 m), often muddy water, in sandy streams, rivers and tanks. Also occurs in canals, beels and inundated fields. Moves into freshly inundated habitats during the flood season. Feeds on vegetable matter, fish, crustaceans and mollusks. Sold fresh or smoked on skewers.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Ompok bimaculatus
Family: Siluridae (Sheatfishes)
Order: Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 45.0
Depth range: 0–2 m (0–7 ft)
Environment: Freshwater; brackish;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 4 - 28 demersal; potamodromous; depth range 0 - 2 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Asia: Afghanistan to China, Thailand and Borneo. Endangered status in the Western Ghats, India.
Conservation status (IUCN): Near Threatened (NT)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)