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: Linnaeus.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.5 - 7.5; dH range: ? - 18; potamodromous (Ref. 51243). Tropical; 21°C - 24°C (Ref. 2060); 35°N - 4°N
Africa: basins of the Senegal, Gambia, Volta, Niger (including the Benue) and Chad (Ref. 57223). Also in the Nile (Ref. 3202).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 36.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 31256)
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: 0. Diagnosis: gill slits not extending ventrally beyond pectoral-fin insertions; snout at most 50% of head length and at most 80% of head width; post-ocular length at least 30% of head length; maxillary barbels shorter than head, bearing externally rather long and more or less tuberculate ramifications and a short, but distinct, basal membrane; outer and inner mandibular barbels with long, simple and finely tuberculate branches; mandibular teeth long, numbering 6-10; pectoral-fin spines more strongly denticulate on inner than on outer margin; dorsal-fin spine denticulate on lower half of anterior margin; humeral process triangular and deep, short and granulose, but not keeled ventrally; adipose fin very well developed and rather close (in large individuals contiguous) to rayed dorsal fin (Ref. 57223).
Coloration: ground colour greyish-brown, ventral areas lighter; caudal fin red, at least in live specimens; young individuals with fine specks scattered over dorsal body region and fins (Ref. 57223).
Omnivore, feeds on insect larvae, mollusks and detritus (Ref. 13868). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Maximum size 325mm TL, 230mm SL (Ref. 57223).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous (Ref. 205). Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
Paugy, D. and T.R. Roberts, 2003. Mochokidae. p. 195-268 In C. Lévêque, D. Paugy and G.G. Teugels (eds.) Faune des poissons d'eaux douce et saumâtres de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, Tome 2. Coll. Faune et Flore tropicales 40. Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgique, Museum National d'Histoire Naturalle, Paris, France and Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris, France. 815 p. (Ref. 57223)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Tools
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