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Synodontis irsacae Matthes, 1959

Image contributors to this species:

Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (3) Dave Schumacher (1) Submerged (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

This species was named as a synonym of S. dhonti by Mathes (1962) (juvenile form) shortly after his description in 1959 but Wright and Page (2006) have declared that S. iracae is a species in its own right as among other differences the latter does not possess an axillary pore, whereas S. dhonti does. It is also a smaller species than S. dhonti. Habitat: In Lake Tanganyika it seeks out rocky zones where there are intervening areas of sand. Adults seek out greater depths of down to 40m or more. Aquarium Care: Treat as per same as all Lake Tanganyika species. Diet: Their diet consists of thread algae, sponges, small crabs, insect larvae and fish eggs. Etymology: The specific name irsacae: Of I.R.S.A.C. (Institut pour la Recherche Scientifique en Afrique Centrale), where Matthes worked.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Mochokidae

Distribution:

Africa: Lake Tanganyika.

Size:

19.0cm. (7½ins)

Temp:

23-26°C (73-79°F)

p.H.

7.5-8.5.

IUCN Red List

Synodontis irsacae is endemic to Lake Tanganyika and is a common, widely distributed species in this lake. Although local populations may face some threats, no major threats were identified. It is therefore listed as Least Concern (LC), (IUCN 2025).

Reference:

Musschoot, T. 2025. Synodontis irsacae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2025.
Seegers, L. 2008 The catfishes of Africa. A handbook for identification and maintenance. Aqualog Verlag A.C.S. GmbH, Germany. 604 p.
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 irsacae

Synodontis irsacae

Synodontis irsacae
Lake Tanganyika, Kabayeye, Zambia

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