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Allan James (2) Danny Blundell (2) Hippocampus Bildarchiv (1) Dave Schumacher (1)

Easy to identify with its red tail and one of the few species in this genus to have branched maxillary barbels. The head is also pointed and low. Juvenile specimens are described as being dark bottle green in colour, with many dark coloured spots, and a blood red coloured caudal fin. Description: Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: 0. Diagnosis: gill slits not extending ventrally beyond pectoral-fin insertions; snout at most 50% of head length and at most 80% of head width; post-ocular length at least 30% of head length; maxillary barbels shorter than head, bearing externally rather long and more or less tuberculate ramifications and a short, but distinct, basal membrane; outer and inner mandibular barbels with long, simple and finely tuberculate branches; mandibular teeth long, numbering 6-10; pectoral-fin spines more strongly denticulate on inner than on outer margin; dorsal-fin spine denticulate on lower half of anterior margin; humeral process triangular and deep, short and granulose, but not keeled ventrally; adipose fin very well developed and rather close (in large individuals contiguous) to rayed dorsal fin. Colouration: Ground colour greyish-brown, ventral areas lighter; caudal fin red, at least in live specimens; young individuals with fine specks scattered over dorsal body region and fins. Reproduction: Oviparous. Distinct pairing during breeding. Aquarium Care: I would suggest a minimum tank size of 60” x 18” X 18” for one or two of these stunning catfish, with plenty of hiding places amongst bogwood and plants. The ideal aquarium substrate to use with these catfish is aquarium sand such as BD Aquarium. As with all other species of fish, water quality and general husbandry is very important, and I would recommend that a minimum of 25% water is changed on a weekly basis.  Wherever possible I would recommend that the aquarist keep these catfish in a community aquarium with slightly larger fish such as large barbs, large tetras and cichlids, just as long as the other occupants are not too aggressive. Diet: Omnivore, feeds on insect larvae, mollusks and detritus. In the aquarium Synodontis clarias prefers a mixed and varied diet which includes frozen bloodworm in addition to sinking catfish pellets, tablet foods and shellfish. They also except vegetable foods such as cucumber and courgette. Remarks: Was the first Synodontis to be described by Linnaeus in 1758 and is the type species for this genus.

Red-Tail Synodontis

Pimelodus clarias clarias, Pimelodus clarias, Silurus clarias, Silurus callarias, Pimelodus synodontis, Pimelodus synodontes, Synodontis macrodon

Mochokidae

Africa: Chad, Niger (including the Bénoué River), Senegal, Gambia and Volta basins, also in  the Nile.

36.0cm. (14½ins)

21-24°C (69-75°F)

6.5-7.5.

ScotCat Factsheet no.158; August 2009.
Paugy, D. and T.R. Roberts, 2003. Mochokidae. p. 195-268 In C. Lévêque, D. Paugy and G.G. Teugels (eds.) Faune des poissons d'eaux douce et saumâtres de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, Tome 2. Coll. Faune et Flore tropicales 40. Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgique, Museum National d'Histoire Naturalle, Paris, France and Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris, France. 815 p.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2021. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 02/2021 ).
Seegers, L. 2008 The catfishes of Africa. A handbook for identification and maintenance. Aqualog Verlag A.C.S. GmbH, Germany. 604 p.