Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Siluriformes (Catfish) >
Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes)
Etymology: Synodontis: Greek, syn, symphysis = grown together + Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335). More on author: Günther.
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical, preferred ?
Africa: known only from the lower Niger (Ref. 57223).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 67.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 57223)
Short description
Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal
spines
(total): 1;
Anal
spines: 0. 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).
Oviparous (Ref. 205). Maximum TL recorded was 800mm (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. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries:
More information
Age/SizeGrowthLength-weightLength-lengthLength-frequenciesMorphometricsMorphologyLarvaeLarval dynamicsRecruitmentAbundance
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