Silonia childreni

Silonia childreni
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Schilbeidae
Genus: Silonia
Species:
S. childreni
Binomial name
Silonia childreni
(Sykes, 1839)
Synonyms
  • Ageneiosus childreni Sykes, 1839
  • Silonopangasius childreni (Sykes, 1839)
  • Silundia sykesii Day, 1876

Silonia childreni, the white catfish,[2] is a species of schilbid catfish endemic to India where it occurs in the Krishna, Godavari and Cauvery river systems of the Western Ghats.[1] This species grows to a length of 48 centimetres (19 in) TL.[2] These fish occur in large rivers and reservoirs. A gregarious fish, S. childreni moves in shoals during the monsoon. They feed on fish. S. childreni is a dominant species in the catches from deep waters, especially during the monsoon months between April and July.[citation needed]

It is locally extinct from the Mula-Mutha River and has experienced severe population decline rangewide due to overexploitation, drought and water management issues stemming from lack of dam releases. Habitat degradation may also be occurring due to water pollution.[1]

  1. ^ a b c Arunachalam, M.; Shaji, C.P. (2020) [errata version of 2011 assessment]. "Silonia childreni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T172383A174791573. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T172383A174791573.en. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Silonia childreni". FishBase. April 2024 version.