An examination of the holotype of Silurus mystus Linnaeus, 1758, now included in the genus Schilbe, reveals that it is conspecific with the species known as Schilbe (Eutropius) niloticus (Rüppell, 1829). In accordance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, the earlier described Schilbe mystus replaces the later Schilbe niloticus. The species formerly, but mistakenly, accepted in the ichthyological literature to be Schilbe mystus is re-identified as Schilbe intermedius Rüppell, 1832.