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 hen we think about the Mochokidae family our first thoughts centre on the Synodontis genus and to a lesser extent, Microsynodontis or the Chiloglanis genera but never on this months factsheet, namely the rarely imported genus of Mochokus and its two members from the East African Nilo-Sudanic distribution, M. niloticus and M. brevis. We concentrate this month on the former, which is the type genus.

 Mochokus niloticus

It seems that M. niloticus is also found further west in the Chad drainage and in the Niger basin, including the River Bénoué in Cameroon (Seegers, L., 2008). It is strange that with such a wide distribution that this catfish has not yet found its way into the catfish hobby as it would probably be a trouble free species to keep as with the better known mochokidid, Mochokiella paynei.

  Mochokus niloticus - head view-line drawing from Boulenger (1911)

This is a demersal, potamodromous fish found in lakes and majors rivers in shallow waters and marginal vegetation. No population estimates are available for this species, but Kenya's fisheries department believe the population is increasing in Lake Turkana. Overall, the population trend is unknown (IUCN 2020).

Dwarf Nile catfish

Rhinoglanis typus, Rhinoglanis Vannutellii

Mochokinae

Africa: Nile and Niger basins. Type locality: Nile River near Thebes, Egypt.

6.5cm. (2½ins)

18-28°C (63-83°F)

Dorsal spines (total): 1. Diagnosis: body elongate and slender, its depth comprised 5.4-6.3 times in standard length; head as long as broad, its dorsal surface rough; maxillary barbels non-membranous and unbranched, up to 2 times longer than head; mandibular barbels with long, simple ramifications; humeral process long, slender and pointed; 1st dorsal-fin spine weakly denticulate on anterior margin; 2nd dorsal fin with 10-13 rays; pectoral-fin spines more strongly denticulate on inner than on outer margin; caudal fin deeply forked, its lobes equally long.

Not much information on the keeping of this species but would probably be trouble free.

Oviparous. Distinct pairing during breeding.

Not recorded

In its natural environment it probably feeds on mollusc and insect larvae.

Caudal fin: The tail.
Cleithra: A flattened pointed posterior extension of the pectoral girdle (most prominent in the genus Synodontis)
Dorsal fin: The primary rayed fin(s) on top of the body.
Humeral process: Bony extension of the pectoral girdle.
Lateral line: A sensory line, along the sides of the body.
Mandibular barbels: Pertaining to the lower jaw. (mandibular barbels).
Maxillary barbels : Pertaining to the upper jaw. (maxillary barbels).
Nuchal: Area between the skull and dorsal fin.
Oviparous: Describing a species that lays eggs.
Pectoral fins: The paired fins just behind the head.

Mochokus: Genus name of Mochokus is the latinisation of Mouchchouéké, Arabic name for M. niloticus, roughly translating as “don’t get stung or jabbed by it,” referring to its dangerously sharp spines, which local fishermen try to avoid.
niloticus: Specific name of niloticus –icus, belonging to the Nile River near Thebes, Egypt, the type locality.

Photo Credits

Tom Vigliotta @ American Museum of Natural History
© Boulenger (1911)
Map: © Stefan Deconinck