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Synodontis acanthoperca Friel & Vigliotta, 2006

Image contributors to this species:

John P. Sullivan (1) Joe Cutler (1) Tom Vigliotta (3)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 35. Diagnosis: Synodontis acanthoperca is a relatively small species, with a maximum standard length below 50 mm. It is distinguished from all congeners by a distinctive pattern that includes a pair of dark patches on the caudal fin; one patch is present in the middle of each lobe of the caudal fin. Further distinguished by the presence of a well-developed opercular spine in sexually mature males. Habitat: This species is known from two sites within the Ogôoué River basin of Gabon. The type locality is the Rapids of Massoukou (Masuku) on the Ogôoué River near Franceville and a second population has been collected in rapids on the Louétsi River near Bongolo. Given the significant river distance between these sites (> 500 km), we speculate that S. acanthoperca is widely distributed in the upper Ogôoué basin wherever similar rapid habitats exist (Friel & Vigliotta, 2006). Etymology: The specific name of acanthoperca - Latinised combination of the Greek 'acantha', meaning a thorn, and the Latin 'opercul', meaning a cover or lid, alluding to the distinctive opercular spines developed by mature males in this species.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Mochokidae

Distribution:

Africa: Ogowe River in Gabon.

Size:

5.0cm. (2ins)

Temp:

23-26°C (73-79°F)

p.H.

6.5-7.0.

IUCN Red List

Synodontis acanthoperca is only known from two localities. The species has recently (2006) been described and may be more widespread than is currently known. More information is needed on the species distribution before an assessment can be made. Data Deficient (Needs updating IUCN 2010).

Reference:

Friel, J.P. and T.R. Vigliotta, 2006. Synodontis acanthoperca, a new species from the Ogôoué River system, Gabon with comments on spiny ornamentation and sexual dimorphism in mochokid catfishes (Siluriformes: Mochokidae). Zootaxa 1125:45-56.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2011. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version.
Moelants, T. 2010. Synodontis acanthoperca. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010.

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

Synodontis acanthoperca
Upper Ogowe River, Gabon

Synodontis acanthoperca
Haut-Ogooué, Gabon

Synodontis acanthoperca
Lateral view

Synodontis acanthoperca
Dorsal view

Synodontis acanthoperca
Ventral view

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