Caught in its natural habitat
alongside S.
schoutedeni. Description:
Like all members of the genus Synodontis,
S. centralis has a strong, bony head capsule
that extends back as far as the first spine of the
dorsal fin. The head contains a distinct narrow, bony,
external protrusion called a humeral process and has
three pairs of barbels. The maxillary barbels are
on located on the upper jaw, and two pairs of mandibular
barbels are on the lower jaw. The adipose fin is large
and the tail, or caudal fin, is forked. Reproduction:
Spawning likely occurs during the flooding season
between July and October, and pairs swim in unison
during spawning. The growth rate is rapid in the first
year, then slows down as the fish age. Aquarium
Care: They hide in the aquarium during the
day so would need hiding places such as pipes/tubing.
Diet: Most prepared aquarium foods
plus mosquito larvae. Etymology:
The specific name centralis: Latin for central,
referring to its distribution in the central Congo
basin.
Africa:
Central Congo basin. Type locality:
Ndwa village, Kunungu, Zaire.
Size:
12.0cm. (4¾ins)
Temp:
23-25°C (73-77°F)
p.H.
6.2-7.2.
IUCN
Red List
The
species is widespread or without major threats throughout
the Central Africa assessment region and is assessed
as Least Concern,
but needs updating (IUCN 2010).
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