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Silurus lithophilus (Tomoda, 1961)

Image contributors to this species:

Nakamura, M; Keys to the Freshwater Fishes of Japan Fully Illustrated in Colors (2) anonymous (1) KENPEI (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

One of three species of Silurus that are in Japan. The rock catfish, S. lithophilus, the Biwi catfish, S. biwaensis and the far eastern catfish S. asotus. Habitat: This species primarily occurs in lakes but is also found in rivers (Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan 2015). Etymology: The specific name lithhopilus: Stone-loving, from líthos, stone, and phílos, friend or fond of, referring to its occurrence on rocky reefs of Lake Biwa, Japan (compared with the offshore S. biwaensis).

Common Name:

Rock Catfish

Synonyms:

Parasilurus lithophilus

Family:

Siluridae

Distribution:

Asia: Lake Biwa and Lake Yogo, Japan. Type locality: Near Onoé, Lake Biwa-ko, Japan.

Size:

50.0cm. (20ins)

Temp:

10-20°C (47-67°F)

p.H.

6.0-8.0.

IUCN Red List

The extent of occurrence (EOO) for this species is 1,239 km2, it is known from six locations (based on the number of spawning grounds) and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of the spawning habitat due to road construction and construction of embankments for flood control. The population size is in decline due to overharvesting. This species therefore qualifies for listing as Vulnerable, (IUCN 2019).

Reference:

Eschmeyer, W.N., Fricke, R. and Van der Laan, R. (eds). 2017. Catalog of Fishes: genera, species, references. Updated 03 January 2017.
Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Hasegawa, K., Kanao, S. & Mukai, T. 2019. Silurus lithophilus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019.
Nakamura, M; Keys to the Freshwater Fishes of Japan Fully Illustrated in Colors. Hokuryukan, 1963.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

Family: Siluridae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Silurus lithophilus

Silurus lithophilus
Dorsal head view

Silurus lithophilus

Silurus lithophilus
Head view

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