Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes) > Mochokinae
Etymology: Synodontis: Greek, syn, symphysis = grown together + Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.5 - 8.2; dH range: 20 - 30. Tropical; 20°C - 23°C (Ref. 2060); 8°S - 15°S
Africa: Lake Malawi.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 19.2 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3202)
Found among the rocks during the day and moves around the area at night. Feeds on insects, crustaceans and other invertebrates (Ref. 5595). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Because of its bony head, this species is often not marketed in Malawi where it is relatively common and considered a favored food of fishermen. Marketed in Kyela (Ref. 4967).
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: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01549 (0.00697 - 0.03443), b=2.90 (2.72 - 3.08), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.1 ±0.26 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
Nutrients (Ref.
124155): Calcium = 145 [69, 294] mg/100g; Iron = 1.5 [0.9, 2.6] mg/100g; Protein = 16.3 [15.1, 17.5] %; Omega3 = 0.576 [0.208, 1.638] g/100g; Selenium = 90.3 [36.5, 235.9] μg/100g; VitaminA = 56.8 [20.0, 155.0] μg/100g; Zinc = 2.12 [1.38, 3.06] mg/100g (wet weight);