his
factsheet for February 2014 centres on one of my favourite
catfish families, Mochokidae, and of course the Synodontis
genera. They are very interesting catfishes and one
of the more impressive and long known species is the
"One-Spot Synodontis" Synodontis notatus.
Synodontis
notatus
This is one of
three similar species which include S.
congicus and
S.
nummifer. What are the differences
between these three?. To start of with, the
number of spots on the two species of S. congicus
and S. notatus does not warrant any attention
as they do vary with my 4 species of S. congicus
showing 4 spots and 3 spots although the common
name of "One-spot Synodontis" for S.
notatus does point to the vast majority of specimens.
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. S.
congicus has also
a shorter and blunter snout. Another very important
feature is the adipose 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.
The other species,
Synodontis nummifer 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.
Synodontis
congicus (note the short maxillary
barbels)
Synodontis
notatus
The juveniles
of this species have very large spots (either one
or two on each side) but with maturity the spots do
not grow with the body so are smaller in adults.
Common
Name
One-spot Synodontis
Synonyms
Synodontis maculatus
Family
Mochokidae
Subfamily
Mochocinae
Distribution
Africa:
Congo basin. Type locality: Riv.
Oubangui à Bangui.
Size
23.0cm
(9ins)
Temp.
22-26°C (71-79°F)
p.H.
6.5-7.2.
Characteristics
Snout pointed andstraight.
The upper head profileisstraight
in lateral view. Maxillary barbels long and extending
to far behind the operculum, adipose fin small and
set far back.
Colouration
Ground colour is grey/brown
to olive on the dorsum with a gold sheen to the operculum
area in healthy specimens. The underside is whitish.
There is usually one black spot, eye sized and posterier
to the dorsal, but sometimes they are two in some
specimens.
Aquarium
Care & Compatibility
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.
Reproduction
No reports on
the breeding of this species.
Sexual
Differences
No discernable
differences.
Diet
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, frozen mosquito larvae and bloodworm.
Glossary
of Terms
Dorsal fin:
The primary rayed fin(s) on top of the body. Caudal fin:The tail.
Pectoral fin:The paired
fins just behind the head. Adipose fin: Fleshy finlike projection
without rays, behind the rayed dorsal fin.
Maxillary barbels: Pertaining to the upper
jaw (maxillary barbels). Operculum: The bony covering of the
gills of fishes. Dorsum: The upper (dorsal) surface
of the head or body.
Etymology
Synodontis:
From the Greek syn, meaning together, and odontos,
meaning tooth; in reference to the closely-spaced
lower jaw teeth. notatus: Marked, ( with
a spot, usually).
References
Seegers,
L. 2008 The
catfishes of Africa. A handbook for identification
and maintenance. Aqualog Verlag A.C.S. GmbH, Germany.
604 p.
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