The scientific community currently
recognises this fish as Synodontis bastiani.
In aquarist circles we did use to recognise this fish
from its junior synonym name of Synodontis euberneensis.
Habitat: The Ivory Synodontis comes
to us from Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Here it is found
in riverine habitats. Description:
The caudal is deeply forked. The first ray of the
dorsal stands erect like a blade. The adipose is extremely
thick. A naturally streamlined fish built for speed.
As maturity is reached the body thickens, arches and
looses the distinct dorsal first ray. At this time
great confusion arises with identification as Synodontis
bastiani now looks almost identical to its Egyptian
cousin Synodontis
schall and
another species in Synodontis
ouemeensis all sporting some
form of dark blotch to the gill cover area.
Remarks:The last three thumbnail images (which are
probably the real S. bastiani) were photographed
in 2004 and 2005 by the image contributor in the Comoé
river at the Comoé National Park Côte
d'Ivoire in the north east of the country near the
borders of Burkina Faso.
Common
Name:
Ivory Synodontis
Synonyms:
Synodontis eburneensis,
Synodontis dageti
Family:
Mochokidae
Distribution:
Africa:
Sassandra, Bandama and Bia basins (Côte d'Ivoire),
also from the Comoe and Agnébi Rivers. Type
locality: Côte d’Ivoire: Bouaflé.
Size:
20.0cm. (8ins)
Temp:
22-26°C (71-79°F)
p.H.
6.5-7.2.
Reference:
ScotCat
Factsheetno.
113. Nov.2005 Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors.
2020. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.
www.fishbase.org, ( 12/2020 ).
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