Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes) > Mochokinae
Etymology: Synodontis: Greek, syn, symphysis = grown together + Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Boulenger.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.2 - 7.5; dH range: ? - 15. Tropical; 22°C - 26°C (Ref. 1672); 17°N - 4°N
Africa: White Nile (Ref. 3202, 28714), Niger, Volta, Chad, Kwa Ibo (Ref. 57223) and Cross basins (Ref. 52861).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 30.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 31256)
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: 0. Diagnosis: gill slits not extending ventrally beyond pectoral-fin insertions; eye large, its diameter 23-34.5% of head length and 48-75% of snout length; post-orbital length at least 60% of snout length; maxillary barbels unbranched, longer than head, without tubercles and bordered by a rather broad basal membrane restricted to their anterior thirds; outer mandibular barbels with simple, thin and rather long ramifications; branches of inner mandibular barbels shorter, subdivided and tuberculate; mandibular teeth slender and moderately long, numbering 39-62 (62 in the holotype); denticulations of pectoral-fin spines weak on outer margin and well developed on inner margin; dorsal-fin spine smooth anteriorly, except for a few apical denticles; humeral process triangular and not keeled ventrally; adipose fin well developed and rather close to rayed dorsal fin; branched dorsal-fin rays as well as dorsal- and pectoral-fin spines prolonged into filaments; spots present on body and fins (Ref. 57223).
Coloration: body more or less dark brown. Back, sides, head and fins with few isolated small spots; depending on individuals, spots on fins more or less aligned in series; maxillary barbels (including membranes) black; fin filaments darker than fins themselves (Ref. 57223).
Maximum TL was recorded at 22.2 cm, max. SL at 22.2 cm (Ref. 57223). Occurs over a muddy bottom but may also be found over rocks. Feeds mainly on insect larvae but will also take algae (Ref. 6868). This is also an upside-down species (Ref. 4537). Oviparous (Ref. 205).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous (Ref. 205). Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
Gosse, J.-P., 1986. Mochokidae. p. 105-152. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels, MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 2. (Ref. 3202)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
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