Morphology Data of Synodontis xiphias
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Paugy, D. and T.R. Roberts, 2003
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral fusiform / normal
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: gill slits not extending ventrally beyond pectoral-fin insertions; post-orbital length at most 60% of snout length; maxillary barbels unbranched, not fringed or very slightly fringed at base, shorter than head, without tubercles or basilar membrane; mandibular barbels with a long simple and relatively thin ramifications; mandibular teeth numbering 10-16; dorsal-fin spine smooth anteriorly, pectoral-fin spines weakly denticulate; humeral process triangular and rather pointed posteriorly, its upper margin concave; adipose fin poorly developed, distinctly separated from rayed dorsal fin; colour uniform, sometimes with very fine punctuations (Ref. 57223).

Coloration: uniformly brownish, with numerous small, rounded spots on sides and adipose fin (this colour corresponds to a stuffed specimen)(Ref. 57223).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Synodontis xiphias

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels 6
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes no striking attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0
Ventral  0
Spines total 1
Soft-rays total
Adipose fin present

Caudal fin

Attributes forked; more or less normal

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 0
Soft-rays total

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     1
Soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  more or less normal
Position    abdominal  behind origin of D1
Spines     0
Soft-rays   
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