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Synodontis filamentosus Boulenger, 1901

Image contributors to this species:

Hippocampus Bildarchiv (2) Dave Rinaldo (1) Nathan Cook (1)

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Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Noted for the long dorsal extension due to the specific name. Description: Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: 0. Diagnosis: gill slits not extending ventrally beyond pectoral-fin insertions; eye large, at least 24% of head length and 33% of head width; post-orbital length at least 60% of snout length; maxillary barbels slightly longer than head, unbranched, without tubercles but with a light, well visible, broad basal membrane; outer mandibular barbels with numerous, tuberculate ramifications; mandibular teeth long, numbering 16-24 (20 in the holotype); dorsal-fin spine smooth anteriorly; denticulations of pectoral-fin spines finer on outer than on inner margin; first branched dorsal-fin ray prolonged into a very long filament that may reach to caudal-fin base; humeral process poorly developed, granulose, rounded posteriorly and very slightly keeled, at least on anterior part of ventral margin; adipose fin truncate posteriorly and distinctly separated from rayed dorsal fin. Colouration: Outer margins of caudal-fin lobes black-edged; body covered with large spots, back brownish, sides yellowish, belly lighter; body covered with black spots, except on belly; dorsal filament as well as outer rays of caudal-fin lobes black; young individuals nearly same colour pattern as adults. Body shape (shape guide): elongated. Etymology: The specific name filamentosus: Latin for filamentous, referring to “filamentous prolongation” of dorsal fin.

Common Name:

Filamentous Synodontis

Synonyms:

Synodontis augierasi

Family:

Mochokidae

Distribution:

Africa: Nile basin, Chad, Volta and Niger basins, including the Bénoué. Type locality: Mouth of Lake No, White Nile.

Size:

20.0cm. (8ins)

Temp:

21-24°C (69-75°F)

p.H.

6.0-7.5.

IUCN Red List

This species has a wide distribution, with no known major widespread threats. It is therefore listed as Least Concern. It has also been assessed regionally as Least Concern for northeastern and western Africa (IUCN 2020).

Reference:

Awaïss, A., Azeroual, A., Getahun, A., Lalèyè, P. & Olaosebikan, B.D. 2020. Synodontis filamentosus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020.
Boulenger, George Albert (1909). Catalogue of the fresh-water fishes of Africa in the British museum (Natural history). London: British Museum. pp. 460–461.
Cuvier, Georges (1934). The Animal Kingdom Arranged in Conformity with its Organization, Volume 10. Translated by Griffith, Edward. London: Whittaker and Co. p. 406.
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.
Seegers, L. 2008 The catfishes of Africa. A handbook for identification and maintenance. Aqualog Verlag A.C.S. GmbH, Germany. 604 p.

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

Synodontis filamentosus

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