Scientific Name
Ompok bimaculatus

Common Name
Butter catfish

Biology
Occurs in streams and rivers of all sizes with currents ranging from sluggish to moderate (Ref. 12693). Found in quiet, shallow (0.5-1.5 m), often muddy water, in sandy streams, rivers and tanks (Ref. 6028). Also occurs in canals, beels and inundated fields (Ref. 1479). Moves into freshly inundated habitats during the flood season (Ref. 12693). Feeds on vegetable matter, fish (Ref. 6028), crustaceans and mollusks (Ref. 12693). Sold fresh or smoked on skewers (Ref. 12693).

Classification

Classified By

Bloch, 1794

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Sheatfishes (Siluridae)

Distribution

Region

Asia

Distribution

Asia: Afghanistan to China, Thailand and Borneo. Endangered status in the Western Ghats, India (Ref. 44150).

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

20 °C

Water Temperature To

26 °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

2 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; ; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 4 - 28 demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 2 m

Trophic Level

3.61 s.e. 0.56 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

45.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (51 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Near Threatened (NT)