Synodontis congicus
Poll, 1971
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have decided this month to return to the African Continent and to
concentrate my thoughts on a member of the Synodontis genus
which has been misidentified on a number of occasions in your local
fish store. The catfish in question is the "Congo
Synodontis",
Synodontis congicus and its similarity to another species
from the same area, Synodontis notatus.
To start of with, the number of spots on the
two species of congicus and notatus does not warrant
any attention as they do vary with my 4 species of S. congicus
showing 4 spots and 3 spots. The main criteria for
the 2 species is the length of their maxillary barbels (pertaining
to the upper jaw). S. congicus has short maxillary
barbels reaching back to just after the insertion of the pectoral
fin whereas S. notatus has them longer, reaching to nearly
the end of the pectoral fins, which can be seen in the accompanying
line drawings.
Another very important feature is the adipse fin, S. notatus
being very small and S. congicus being the larger of the
two. S. congicus tends also to have a larger eye much as
in the vain of S. pleurops
but
not as large.
Another look-alike species that I havent mentioned
and is a bit rarer in the hobby is Synodontis nummifer
which has short barbels like S. congicus but has a spotted
head and pigment in the caudal fin. The thing about all three of
these species is that their humeral process (Bony
extension of the pectoral girdle) are
quite alike in that they are all blunt with S. congicus
being a little bit shorter and the head shield being heavier, but
this is not a good way to identify these 3 species in that you may
be looking at juveniles and this method may not be fool proof.
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Synodontis
congicus
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Synodontis
notatus
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(Drawings
from) Poll, Max; Revision
Des Synodontis Africains (Famille Mochokidae) 1971.
|
Keeping Synodontis congicus is not too much of a problem.
They do like, as most Synodontis,
to be territorial but not as bad as S. notatus which
can be a bit disruptive when they get to adult size. They
will get on fine with each other if they are introduced as juveniles
or young adults. They will have a few skirmishes,
but nothing too drastic.
They do tend to be quite shy but they will venture out for food
during the day and dart back into their hiding places with their
catch. As you have noted they are much happier kept in a tank
when they have choices of shelter during the day, whether it is
pipework, branches/bogwood or stonework/slates.
Dorsal 1/7 with a short filament. Adipose
fin base 1/7. Short maxillary barbels reaching back to
just after the insertion of the pectoral fin. Large eye. Short and
rounded humeral process.
Light grey to silver with
one to four black spots along midlateral line of body.
Best suited to the larger aquarium. A quite
well behaved Synodontis if given the room to grow and will
not molest tankmates if they are not too small.
No reports on the breeding of this species.
Will eat a variety of foods and as in most
members of this genus they are not a problem to feed. Tablet and
pellet foods with a good quality flake and frozen bloodworms.
| Etymology |
Synodontis:
Syn = together; odontis = teeth.(fused
tooth plates).
congicus : From the Congo.
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| References |
Sands, David.
Catfishes of the World, Vol 2 Mochokidae.
Poll,
Max; Revision Des Synodontis Africains (Famille Mochokidae)
1971.
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| Synonyms:
|
| None |
| Common
Name: |
| Congo
Synodontis |
| Family: |
| Mochokidae |
| Subfamily: |
| Mochocinae |
| Distribution: |
Democratic Rep.of the Congo. Congo basin (except
Lower Congo, central basin, Luapula-Moero and High Katanga).
|
| Size: |
| 18.0cm. (7ins) |
| Temp: |
| 22-25°C
(71-77°F) |
| pH.: |
| 6.5 - 7.5 |
| Donation: |
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