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Synodontis nigrita Valenciennes, 1840

Image contributors to this species:

Hippocampus Bildarchiv (2) John Bradley (1) eMJay (3) Allan James (3)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Reproduction: In their natural habitat they are nonguarders of their eggs and as substratum egg scatterers they will scatter them in open water. Not bred in aquarium so far but some have turned up as hybrids, crossed with other Syno species in Eastern Europe. Aquarium Care: Fine as juveniles but with most larger Syno's will get a little teritorial going into adulthood. A 4ft tank or above with larger tankmates such as Rasboras, African tetras or Cichlids will do fine. Diet: As with most of the Synodontis genus they will accept a wide range of foods and can be fed on a good quality flake, tablet, pelet and frozen foods such as bloodworm. Etymology: The specific name nigrita: Latin name for Niger, ancient name of Senegal, type locality. Remarks: The last three thumbnail images show a gold/yellow variety that is thought to be S. nigrita which is probably farmed for this trait which has proven to be very popular. Sold in the aquatic shops as the "Mustard Catfish".

Common Name:

False upside-down catfish

Synonyms:

Hemisynodontis nigrita, Synodontis ornatus, S. fascipinna

Family:

Mochokidae

Distribution:

Africa: Chad, Niger, Senegal, Gambia, Casamance, Geba, Kolente and Volta basins; coastal rivers from Ghana to Nigeria, Nile basin; including the Bénoué. Type locality: Sénégal.

Size:

17.5cm. (6¾ins)

Temp:

21-26°C (69-79°F)

p.H.

6.0-7.5.

IUCN Red List

This species is widespread. Threats to the species are increasing but it is adaptable to degraded habitats. Therefore, this species is assessed as Least Concern (IUCN 2020).

Reference:

Lalèyè, P., Awaïss, A., Azeroual, A., Getahun, A., Moelants, T. & Twongo, T.K. 2020. Synodontis nigrita. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020.
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.
ScotCat Factsheet no. 143. May 2008.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

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

Synodontis nigrita

Synodontis nigrita

Synodontis nigrita
Xanthic or melanistic variant

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