family like the Schilibidae are also called
"glass catfishes" or sheath fishes.
Dorsal fin usually with fewer than seven rays,
sometimes absent, not preceded by a spine; adipose
fin absent; pelvic fins small, sometimes absent;
anal fin base very elongate, 41-110 rays; nasal
barbel absent, one or two pairs of barbels on
lower jaw, and maxillary barbels usually elongate.
This is quite a diverse family, from the midwater
shoaling Krytopterus to the predatory
Wallago and the European wels, Silurus
glanis. The difference between the families
is quite straightforward, the Silurids do not
posses an adipose fin and most of the Shilbids
do. The Silurids also have a small notch between
the anal and caudal fin whereas the Shilbids
have this joined.