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Microsynodontis polli Lambert, 1958

Image contributors to this species:

Steven Grant (1) Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (2) Mark Duffill (3)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: 0. Diagnosis: maxillary barbels shorter than head, provided with a basilar membrane; mandibular barbels with short and simple ramifications; holotype with 18 mandibular teeth; dorsal-fin spine smooth; pectoral-fin spines more finely denticulate on outer than on inner margin; adipose fin long but low; caudal fin rounded. Colouration: Background yellowish-grey with fine black punctuations; belly light. This is one of three poorly documented pygmy Synodontis, the other two being M. lamberti and M. batesii. The members of this genus are sometimes confused with another small member of the Mochokidae family, namely Mochokielia paynei, but M. paynei has a forked tail whereas members of Microsynodontis possess a rounded caudal and do not have branched maxillary barbels like M. paynei. There are at the moment (2026) 12 species in this genera. Aquarium Care: No problem in a community tank as long as the water parameters are adhered to and it is not housed with boisterous species such as large Cichlids. Diet: Will take most prepared aquarium foods such as frozen bloodworm, whiteworm, tablet food and sunken flake. Etymology: In honour of Dr.Max Poll, ichthyologist.

Common Name:

Pygmy Synodontis, Pretty Woman Pygmy Synodontis

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Mochokidae

Distribution:

Africa: Gbin River, upper Niger in Guinea.Type locality: Rivière Gbin, Guinée Forestière, Guinée Française.

Size:

4.0cm. (1½ins)

Temp:

22-25°C (71-77°F)

p.H.

6.5-7.5.

IUCN Red List

This species is known from around N'Zerekore in the Gbin River, Saint John River basin, on the border of Guinea and Liberia. It has also been recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but these records need confirmation. It is assessed as Least Concern as there are no known threats and it has a relatively widespread range. However, its taxonomy is unclear. If proven to be more than one species they would need reassessment (IUCN 2020).

Reference:

Dankwa, H., Lalèyè, P. & Moelants, T. 2020. Microsynodontis polli. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020.
Paugy, D. and T.R. Roberts, 2003. Mochokidae. p. 195-268 In C. Lévêque, D. Paugy and G.G. Teugels (eds.) Faune des poissons d'eaux douce et saumâtres de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, Tome 2. Coll. Faune et Flore tropicales 40. Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgique, Museum National d'Histoire Naturalle, Paris, France and Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris, France. 815 p.
ScotCat Factsheet no. 40. Oct. 1999.

Family: Mochokidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Microsynodontis polli

Microsynodontis polli

Microsynodontis polli
Head view

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