Synodontis
zambezensis Peters, 1852
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| Image
contributors to this species: |
| Frants
Lehmann
(2 Stamps)
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| ScotCat
Sources: |
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| Other
Sources: |
 
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| Relevant
Information: |
The spines are said to
be poisonous on this species. Occurs in pools and slow flowing reaches
of perennial and seasonal rivers. Favours riverine habitats to floodplains.
Shelters in holes or crevices or on the underside of logs, frequently
in an upside-down position. Active at night, feeds on detritus and
plant matter such as seeds as well as small invertebrates like insects
and snails. Will scavenge readily. Oviparous, breeds in summer in
the rainy periods. Description: This species has
a deep body, a large adipose fin and a forked caudal. The barbels
are long and slender and the mandibulars have branches. The humeral
process is triangular and pointed. Colour: Plain
olive brown or grey with small spots either present or absent. The
spotted specimens are more common in populations from the Limpopo,
Incomati and Phongolo rivers. Juveniles with albino patches on the
body are often found. Aquarium Care: Reported to
be aggressive towards conspecifics so would need hiding places to
dilute this trait if kept with other Synodontis species
in a large tank. Diet: The usual aquarium foods
for this genus. |
| Common
Name: |
Plain
squeaker |
| Synonyms: |
Hemisynodontis
zambezensis, Synodontis zambesiensis, Synodontis gambiensis (non
Günther, 1864) |
| Family: |
Mochokidae
blycipitidae |
| Distribution: |
Africa:
Pongolo, Limpopo, Pungwe and Zambezi basins; Rukwa Lake; Luangwe
River. Absent from upper Save-Runde system. Type locality:
riv. Zambèze, Mozambique. |
| Size:
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43cm. (18ins) |
| Temp: |
23-25°C
(73-79°F) |
| p.H. |
6.2-7.2. |
| Reference: |
Froese, R. and
D. Pauly. Editors. 2009.FishBase. World Wide Web electronic
publication. www.fishbase.org, version (10/2010).
Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes,
recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of
siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Skelton, P.H. 1993 A complete guide to the freshwater
fishes of southern Africa. Southern Book Publishers. 388 p. |
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