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Synodontis dorsomaculatus Poll, 1971

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Relevant Information:

Colouration: Base colour is yellowish/brownish with a white underside. On the dorsum there should be dark round spots that become more difuse with age. 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: Not imported to the hobby so far but due to its moderate size should be no problem to keep in the aquarium that is 3' 0" in length or over. Diet: A varied diet as per Synodontis species. Etymology: The specific name dorsomaculatus: dorso-, from dorsalis (L.), of the back; maculatus (L.), spotted, referring to dark round spots on dorsal surface (which grow diffuse with age).

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

Synodontis dorsomaculata

Family:

Mochokidae

Distribution:

Africa: Lukusi (Luvua tributary) and upper Lualaba, including the Upemba lakes (upper Congo River basin) in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Type locality: Kadia, Kisale.

Size:

14.0cm. TL (5½ins)

Temp:

22-25°C (71-77°F)

p.H.

6.2-7.2.

IUCN Red List

Given the restricted range of this species, mining, dams and the use of toxic plants for fishing and overfishing form threats in this region this species is classified as Endangered but it does need updating (IUCN 2010).

Reference:

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2021. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 06/2021 ).
Gosse, J.-P., 1986. Mochokidae. p. 105-152. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels, MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 2.
John P. Friel & Thomas R. Vigliotta (March 2, 2009). "Mochokidae Jordan 1923: African squeaker and suckermouth catfishes". Tree of Life Web Project.
Moelants, T. 2010. Synodontis dorsomaculatus. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1.
Seegers, L. 2008 The catfishes of Africa. A handbook for identification and maintenance. Aqualog Verlag A.C.S. GmbH, Germany. 604 p.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.
Wright, JJ and LM Page (2006) Taxonomic revision of Lake Taganyikan Synodontis (Siluriformes: Mochokidae). Florida Mus. Nat. Hist. Bull. 46(4):99-154.

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

Synodontis dorsomaculatus

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