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Synodontis woleuensis Friel & Sullivan, 2008

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Relevant Information:

Description: Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 1-3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9; Vertebrae: 34 - 36. This species has well-developed serrations on the anterior margin of the dorsal spine. Colouration: A distinctive pigmentation pattern: a variable pattern and number of light, cream coloured spots distributed over a largely uniform dark brown upper body and over a more lightly pigmented ventral surface, and a narrow, depigmented, curved band along the entireanterior margin of the caudal fin. Diet: As a whole, species of Synodontis are omnivores, consuming insect larvae, algae, gastropods, bivalves, sponges, crustaceans, and the eggs of other fishes. Etymology: The specific name of woleuensis – ensis, suffix denoting place: Woleu River, Gabon, the type locality.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Mochokidae

Distribution:

Africa: Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Type Locality: Ébeigne, Woleu River at bridge on Oyem-Mitzic Road, 1.4500°N, 11.5980°E, Woleu-Ntem Province, Gabon.

Size:

Male: 5.0cm. (2ins) Female: 6.5cm. (2½ins)

Temp:

23-26°C (73-79°F)

p.H.

6.5-7.2.

IUCN Red List

Synodontis woleuensis has a relatively restricted distribution, and is known only from the Woleu River of Gabon (in Equatorial Guinea called the Mbini or Uoro River on modern maps, or the Benito River on older maps) and the Kyé (Kie) River, a tributary of the Ntem River, that runs along the border between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. The species has only recently been described (2008) and may be more widespread than currently known. Further investigation is needed before a complete Red List assessment can be made, so is categorised as Data Deficient, but needs updating (IUCN 2010).

Reference:

Friel, J.P. and J.P. Sullivan, 2008. Synodontis woleuensis (Siluriformes: Mochokidae), a new species of catfish from Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, Africa. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 157(1):3-12.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2023. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 02/2023 ).
Moelants, T. 2010. Synodontis woleuensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010.
The ETYFish Project. Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

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

Synodontis woleuensis

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