Synodontis
robbianus Smith, 1873 |
his Synodontis species can be easily mixed up with Synodontis
nigrita, but the main difference is the body colour with
nigrita having a grey/black colouration and robbianus
being more of a brown colour. There is also a difference in the
shape of the humeral process ( the part of the head shield that
projects back just above the pectoral fins), robbianus is
that bit longer and ends in a point while nigrita also ends
in a point but is shorter and sweeps up in a curve on the bottom
edge.
Synodontis nigrita
has a slightly different body shape being more square shaped than
robbianus and also grows larger at 17.5cm. Both species are
spotted over most of the body although there are specimens that
have very few spots. The fins
also carry spots. To confuse matters more S. robbianus is
also similar to S. obesus but the latter has a smaller adipose
fin and shorter maxillary barbels than robbianus. In young
fish the dorsal and caudal fins are striped, the stripes break up
to form spots as the fish matures.
Is this a community Synodontis?.
Indeed it is and can be kept with most species. It does not seem
to be too territorial and is very hardy as I have proved when I
found my newly aquired specimen, bought a good many years ago, on
the floor of my fishhouse when I opened up one morning. I don't
know how long it had been lying there but when I popped it back
into its tank again it contracted over the next few days, velvet
disease. I treated it as per instructions and I still have it 10
years later.
The genus Synodontis sports three pairs of barbels 1pair:
maxillary, 1 pair: outer mandibular and one pair of
inner mandibular barbels that are branched (filaments). There are
only three species that have filaments on their maxillary barbels
as well as the mandibular, and they are, S. clarias,
S.decorus and S.
flavitaeniatus.
Skin of flanks non villeuses. Humeral process
pointed. Mouth twice as wide than long, premaxillary teeth in a
strip.
Ground colour of head and body, brown, lighter
towards belly region. Dark spots on the body mostly confined to
the upper parts, (the amount can vary). Pectoral, ventral and anal
fins dark brown. Dorsal and caudal fins spotted, adipose fin the
same colour as the body.
Good community catfish in a larger setup
but as with all Syno's will need their own
space, meaning their own bit of bogwood, PVC pipe or rockwork to
reduce the territorial behaviour of this genus.
Not known, but the females are deeper bodied
than the males.
Will take most prepared aquarium foods such
as frozen bloodworm, whiteworm, shrimp, prawns, tablet food, flake
food and pellets. A wide varied diet will provide a healthy specimen
for many years.
| Etymology |
Synodontis:
Syn = together; odontis = teeth.(fused
tooth plates).
|
| References |
Sands, David.
Catfishes of the World, Vol 2 Mochokidae.
Baench, Aquarium Atlas 2, 1993.
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| Synonyms:
|
| None |
| Common
Name: |
| Brown-spotted
Syno |
| Family: |
| Mochokidae |
| Subfamily: |
| Mochocinae |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Lower Niger and Cross River (Old Calabar) in
Nigeria |
| Size: |
| 13cm. (5ins) |
| Temp: |
| 22-25°C (71 -77°F)
|
| pH.: |
| 6.2 - 7.5. |
| Donation: |
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