Hemisynodontis
membranacea (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1809)
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| Image
contributors to this species: |
| Allan
James
(1) Danny Blundell (3) Hippocampus
Bildarchiv
(3) Karl-Heinz
Dau (1 Stamp) Johnny
Jensen's Photographic Library (2) |
| ScotCat
Sources: |
 
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| Other
Sources: |
  
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| Relevant
Information: |
Similar to Brachysynodontis
batensoda but
lacks the fin and body spots and has membraned maxillary barbels.
The genus Hemisynodontis
is Monotypic (contains only one species) and there is a school
of thought from some authors that it should be reclassified
into the Synodontis genus. The main difference between the
two genera of Hemisynodontis and Synodontis is the
number of gill rakers. The Synodontis genus has between 7-33.
Hemisynodontis, has 59-65. That is a big difference along
with the mandibular teeth with Synodontis 6-90, versus Hemisynodontis
8-16. Aquarium Care: It is
a peaceful and hardy fish even though it does grow quite big, but
I have found that it really is a gentle giant. Do give it a decent
size tank and I would suggest a 4ft being the minimum with an aquascape
consisting of rockwork or pipes for it to retire too, and large
plants such as Giant Valis (Vallisneria gigantea) that grow
partly along the water surface, and then you could witness this
‘Synodontis’ eating in its inverted position. This
species was the logo for the now defunct Catfish Association of
Great Britain. |
| Common
Name: |
Moustache
Catfish |
| Synonyms: |
Pimelodus
membranceus, Synodontis guentheri, Synodontis.membranceus |
| Family: |
Mochokidae
blycipitidae |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Chad,
Niger (including the Bénoué) Senegal, Gambia and Volta
basins; also the Nile in northern Africa. Type locality:
Fl. Nil (Egypte). |
| Size:
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35.5cm.
(14½ins) |
| Temp: |
22-26°C
(71-79°F) |
| p.H. |
6.5-7.5. |
| Reference: |
Northern
Area Catfish Group; Information Sheet 01
Burgess, W.E. 1989 An atlas of freshwater and marine
catfishes. A preliminary survey of the Siluriformes. T.F.H. Publications,
Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey (USA). 784 p.
ScotCat Factsheet: no.19: Jan. 1998 |
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Family: Mochokidae
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 Hemisynodontis
membranacea
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 Hemisynodontis
membranacea
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membranacea
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 Hemisynodontis
membranacea
Showing barbels
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 Hemisynodontis
membranacea
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 Hemisynodontis
membranacea
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 Hemisynodontis
membranacea
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 Hemisynodontis
membranacea
Catfish Stamp
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 Hemisynodontis
membranacea
Dorsal View
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 Hemisynodontis
membranacea
Ventral View
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