Synodontis pleurops
Boulenger, 1897 |
l' Bug Eyes would be an apt nickname for this member of the Mochokidae
genera and is very much a favourite among Synodontis
fanciers. So for ScotCat's 250th factsheet (April 2017) I am indulging
in one of my favourite catfish families. This species along with
quite a few of this genera have been brought into the country
as juveniles with captive breeding occurring on commercial fish
farms via the use of hormone injections but the one pictured below
is the real deal and was photographed (and bought I may add) in
Aqualife, a fish store in the north of England well known for
its rare catfish exibits.
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Synodontis
pleurops - adult
colouration |
S. pleurops is nocturnal and will
hide during the day so plenty of hiding places would benefit this
species with plants and rockwork. Although it can grow to 23cm.
(9ins) standard length it is very much a peaceful species. A tank
over 36in(90cm) would suffice for this Syno if kept singularly
but if kept with con specifics a larger tank that would benefit
its final adult size would be best.
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Synodontis
pleurops - the
down turned short snout indicative of its preference for
scraping algae from rocks.
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Synodontis
pleurops - juvenile
colouration |
Deep body. Eyes very large, lateral, and
sited far apart on the broad head. The short snout is down-curved.
Pectoral spine not serrated on the outside. Anal fin with extended
rays.
Brown mottling to body and brown edgings stripes
to the caudal fin lobes. Very pretty species when juvenile but takes
on more of a drab appearance when growing into adulthood.
| Aquarium
Care |
As for the vast majority
of Synodontis species in that it is peaceful and
can be housed with other non-aggresive species in a medium
to large tank. Keep the water changes up to keep your species
in good condition. Provide a slight water current with soft
acid to neutral p.H. water.
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| Compatibility |
Any larger Characins and peaceful Cichlids.
Winkelman (2001) succeeded in breeding this
species and the parents turned almost white in courtship and laid
hundreds of non-adhesive sinking eggs.
(Seegers,
L. 2008 The catfishes of Africa).
There is no parental care. Distinct
pairing during breeding.
| Sexual
Differences |
It is likely that the
sexes can be externally differentiated by females having
a proportionately wider and deeper body than the males.
There may also be differences in the vent area.
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| Diet |
Will take most prepared aquarium foods
such as frozen bloodworm, whiteworm, shrimp, prawns, insect larvae,
tablet food, snails, a good quality flake food and pellets but
would need some vegetable matter in its diet such as cucumber,
algae tablets, vegetable flakes and mashed peas. A wide varied
diet will provide a healthy specimen for many years.
| Glossary
of Terms |
Anal
fin: The median, unpaired,
ventrally located fin that lies behind the anus, usually
on the posterior half of the fish.
Caudal fin: The tail.
Pectorals: The paired fins just behind
the head.
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| Etymology |
Synodontis:
From the Greek syn, meaning together, and odontos, meaning
tooth; in reference to the closely-spaced lower jaw teeth.
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| References |
Poll,
M., 1971. Révision
des Synodontis africains (famille Mochocidae). Ann. Mus. R. Afr.
Centr., Sci. Zool., 191:1-497.
Seegers, L. 2008 The catfishes of Africa. A handbook
for identification and maintenance. Aqualog Verlag A.C.S. GmbH,
Germany. 604 p.
© Allan James @ 
© 
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