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Synodontis xiphias Günther, 1864

Image contributors to this species:

Steve Pritchard (2)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Photographed by the image contributor in the British Museum of Natural History in London. This stuffed specimen was used to describe the species. The long snout is actually artificial as the skin on the snout was stretched over a wire casing for exhibition purposes as can be seen in the x-ray image. Description: Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: 0. Diagnosis: gill slits not extending ventrally beyond pectoral-fin insertions; post-orbital length at most 60% of snout length; maxillary barbels unbranched, not fringed or very slightly fringed at base, shorter than head, without tubercles or basilar membrane; mandibular barbels with a long simple and relatively thin ramifications; mandibular teeth numbering 10-16; dorsal-fin spine smooth anteriorly, pectoral-fin spines weakly denticulate; humeral process triangular and rather pointed posteriorly, its upper margin concave; adipose fin poorly developed, distinctly separated from rayed dorsal fin; colour uniform, sometimes with very fine punctuations. Colouration: Uniformly brownish, with numerous small, rounded spots on sides and adipose fin (this colour corresponds to a stuffed specimen). Aquarium Care: Not recomended for the normal home aquarium as it grows too large. Etymology: The specific name xiphias: Meaning sword describing the long (artificial) snout in this Synodontis species.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

Synodontis labeo

Family:

Mochokidae

Distribution:

Africa: Niger basin.

Size:

70.0cm. (28ins)

Temp:

23-25°C (73-77°F)

p.H.

6.2-7.2.

IUCN Red List

This species is restricted to one location in the Lower Niger river, Nigeria, with an area of occupancy (AOO) of 4 km2. Very little is known about this species besides the type collection which has an uncertain locality, but its habitat is very likely threatened by oil exploration and urban and industrial development in the Niger Delta. The species is therefore assessed as Critically Endangered B2ab(iii), (IUCN 2020).

Reference:

Awaïss, A., Lalèyè, P. & Olaosebikan, B.D. 2020. Synodontis xiphias. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2021. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 06/2021 ).
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.

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

Synodontis xiphias

Synodontis xiphias
X-Ray picture

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