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Synodontis multipunctatus Boulenger, 1898

Image contributors to this species:

Bill McNulty (3) Hippocampus Bildarchiv (2) Danny Blundell (2) Craig (1) Dave Schumacher (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: From the recent scientific paper by Wright, J.J. and L.M. Page. 2006 this species is very much like S. grandiops. The diagnosis for both species is virtually identical and the main differences concern the smaller eye in S. multipunctatus, more fin rays in the dorsal and pectoral fins, and the much larger adult size. It is quite difficult to differentiate between the two species from pictures and if you can count the fin rays (ii,7 in S.grandiops and ii,8 in S. multipunctatus) in living animals that is a much better bet. Reproduction: This is of course a cuckoo spawner and as such are "brood parasites". They received this name when it was discovered that they use mouth brooding cichlids as a host for their eggs to hatch. There are two articles listed above (ScotCat Sources) for information on breeding this unique species. Aquarium Care: Can be kept with Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi Cichlids. Best kept in groups in a medium to large tank. Alkaline water parameters are best for this and all Lake Tanganyika species. Diet: All aquarium fish foods are taken, flake foods, tablet, pellet and frozen foods. Remarks: In the latest paper by Gernot K Englmaier et al. 2024 S. grandiops is now being treated as a junior synoynm of S. multipunctatus.

Common Name:

Cuckoo Synodontis

Synonyms:

Synodontis grandiops, Synodontis multipunctata

Family:

Mochokidae

Distribution:

Africa: Found all around the shore line Lake Tanganyika. Type locality: Lake Tanganyika, southern end of lake in The Dem.Rep. of Congo, near to the Zambian border.

Size:

20.0cm. (8ins)

Temp:

23-25°C (73-77°F)

p.H.

7.2-8.2.

IUCN Red List

Endemic to Lake Tanganyika where it is widespread throughout the littoral zone with no known major widespread threats, although it may be threatened locally by siltation and fisheries. (needs updating IUCN 2006).

Reference:

Gernot K Englmaier, Radim Blažek, Holger Zimmermann, Veronika Bartáková, Matej Polacik, Jakub Žák, Deogratias P Mulokozi, Cyprian Katongo, Heinz H Büscher, Lwabanya Mabo, Stephan Koblmüller, Anja Palandacic, Martin Reichard, Revised taxonomy of Synodontis catfishes (Siluriformes: Mochokidae) from the Lake Tanganyika basin reveals lower species diversity than expected, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Volume 202, Issue 3, November 2024, zlae130.
Ntakimazi, G. 2006. Synodontis multipunctatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2006.
Wright, J.J. and L.M. Page. 2006 Taxonomic revision of Lake Taganyikan Synodontis (Siluriformes: Mochokidae). Florida Mus. Nat. Hist. Bull. 46(4):99-154.

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

Synodontis multipunctatus

Synodontis multipunctatus

Synodontis multipunctatus
In Planted tank

Synodontis multipunctatus
In Malawi tank

Synodontis multipunctatus

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