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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: 6.0 - 7.5; dH range: ? - 20. Tropical; 22°C - 26°C (Ref. 2059); 11°S - 21°S

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Africa: in the Congo River basin in the Kasai system, upper Lualaba, Luapula drainage and lakes Mweru and Bangwelo in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia (Ref. 75786, 82238). Also in the upper Zambezi and Okavango (Ref. 7248, 11970, 52193, 75786), Cunene, Limpopo (Ref. 3202, 11970, 75786, 82238) and Lake Chiuta (Ref. 75786). Absent from the Lake Tanganyika drainage (Ref. 78218).

Size / Weight / Age

Maturity: L_m ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 38.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3202); max. published weight: 506.00 g (Ref. 52193)

Short description Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 11 - 15.

Prefers rocks or marginal vegetation of flowing riverine channels to lagoons or backwaters (Ref. 7248, 52193). It feeds on a variety of food including detritus, algae and plant material, insects, snails and small fish, and scavenges readily (Ref. 7248, 52193). Eggs and larvae of cichlids have been reported in stomach of this species (Ref. 78218). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Breeds during the summer rainy season (Ref. 7248, 52193), with a peak coinciding with heavy rains in January to March (Ref. 13337). Juveniles move off the floodplains when water recedes (Ref. 13337). Grows to a large size (Ref. 246).

Life cycle and mating behavior Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae

Oviparous (Ref. 205). Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Main reference Upload your references | References | Coordinator | Collaborators

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)

Least Concern (LC) ; Date assessed: 01 May 2009

CITES

Not Evaluated

CMS (Ref. 116361)

Not Evaluated

Threat to humans

Harmless

Human uses

Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial

FAO - Publication: search | FishSource |

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Synodontis nigromaculatus Boulenger, 1905