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Synodontis serpentis Whitehead, 1962

Image contributors to this species:

Hippocampus Bildarchiv (1) Peter Hardy (2) Rehoboth Aquatics, USA (2)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Noted for the two pale bands on the body, just before and after the adipose fin and the marbled pattern. Not imported very often. Habitat: Inhabits small streams, main rivers and flooded pools. Extremely abundant in ox-bow lakes and river cut-offs in the Lower Tana River. Reproduction: Breeding occurs shortly after floods, when ripe fish enter small streams leading to floodwater pools, where they breed; this migration is rather sudden, adult fish migrate in large schools upstream over a period of less than a week (3 to 4 days); one or two additional smaller migrations may occur after the main peak; the stimulus triggering this migration is probably closely connected with rainfall. Aquarium Care: As for per Synodontis species. Diet: Will eat most prepared foods and also likes a vegetable addition to the diet. Etymology: The specific name serpentis: Genitive singular of serpens (L.), snake, allusion not explained, perhaps referring to marbled pattern on caudal peduncle of juveniles, which resembles the marbled pattern seen on many constrictors.

Common Name:

Tana squeaker

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Mochokidae

Distribution:

Africa: Athi and Tana River basins (Kenya). Type locality: Athi River at Jilore, thirty miles from river mouth, Kenya.

Size:

10.0cm. (4ins)

Temp:

23-26°C (73-79°F)

p.H.

6.5-7.2.

IUCN Red List

This species is endemic to Kenya occurring in lower Tana and Athi rivers. It has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 67,514 km2 and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 53,476 km2. It occurs in 5–10 locations, which are facing a continuing decline in quality of habitat due water abstraction, overgrazing, riparian farming, as well as climate change (sea level rise and drought). There is no conservation actions in place for this species. However, some parts of both rivers pass through protected areas (Tana River Primate Reserve, lower Tana River Ramsar site and Tsavo National Park) enhancing the conservation of the species. Further research is needed to understand population size, trend, life history and ecology of the species. As such, the species is assessed as Least Concern, (IUCN 2023).

Reference:

Bruton, M., Merron, G., Skelton, P., Fishes of the Okavango Delta & Chobe River, Botswana. Struik Nature, 2018.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2021. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 06/2021 ).
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.
Hardy, Peter. pers. comm. 2020.
Poll, Max. 1971 Révision Des Synodontis Africains (Famille Mochocidae) [Revision of the African Genus Synodontis (Family Mochokidae). 523 p.
Seegers, L. 2008 The catfishes of Africa. A handbook for identification and maintenance. Aqualog Verlag A.C.S. GmbH, Germany. 604 p.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

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

Synodontis serpentis

Synodontis serpentis
Tana River, Kenya

Synodontis serpentis

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