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Synodontis aterrimus Poll & Roberts, 1968

Image contributors to this species:

Danny Blundell (1) David Sands (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Often confused with S. schoutedeni which is nearly twice as large. Not imported very often, but the few species that have made there way to the U.K. have been found to be non problamatic. Etymology: Very black, referring to “noir profound” colouration on lower part of body, an example of inverse pigmentation in which ventral surface is darker than dorsal surface (a countershading adaptation to swimming upside-down at the water’s surface).

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

Synodontis nigriventris

Family:

Mochokidae

Distribution:

Africa: Central Congo basin. Type locality: Bokuma, Bassin du Congo.

Size:

9.0cm. (3½ins)

Temp:

23-26°C (73-78°F)

p.H.

6.5-7.2.

IUCN Red List

The species is widespread or without major threats throughout the Central Africa assessment region and is assessed as Least Concern, but it needs updating (IUCN 2010).

Reference:

Gosse, J.-P., 1986. Mochokidae. p. 105-152. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels, MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 2.
Moelants, T. 2010. Synodontis aterrimus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010.
ScotCat Factsheet no. 58. April 2001.
The ETYFish Project. Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

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

Synodontis aterrimus
Juvenile

Synodontis aterrimus

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