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Synodontis ornatipinnis Boulenger, 1899

Image contributors to this species:

Danny Blundell (3) Serge Mevellec (1) Martijn van der Windt (3)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: Looks somewhat similar to S. brichardi but deeper in the body and also temperament wise. Colouration: When as juveniles they have more of a reticulated/blotched pattern but this will change into more of a banded pattern as they get older. Aquarium Care: Reported as being a bit of a bully in captivity and will chase other fish so would need plenty of hiding places for this species. Very territorial to other conspecifics. Diet: Most prepared foods such as vegetable, tablet, frozen and live foods. Reported to eat snails in the aquarium. Etymology: The specific name ornatipinnis: ornatus (L.), decorated; pinnis, scientific Neo-Latin adjective of pinna (L.), fin, i.e., finned, referring to yellow rayed fins (except pectoral), with black spots confluent into transverse bands; on the tail, these bands form crescents inverse to the shape of the fin.

Common Name:

Ornate Synodontis

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Mochokidae

Distribution:

Africa: Congo River system. Type locality: Coquilhatville et Bikoro (Lac Tumba).

Size:

16.5cm. (6½ins)

Temp:

22-25°C (71-77°F)

p.H.

6.5-7.5.

IUCN Red List

The species is widespread without major threats throughout central Africa and is assessed as Least Concern, but does need updating (IUCN 2010).

Reference:

Baensch, H.A. and R. Riehl 1985 Aquarien atlas. Band 2. Mergus, Verlag für Natur- und Heimtierkunde GmbH, Melle, Germany. 1216 p.
Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Moelants, T. 2010. Synodontis ornatipinnis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010.

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

Synodontis ornatipinnis

Synodontis ornatipinnis
Head view

Synodontis ornatipinnis
Juvenile

Synodontis ornatipinnis

Synodontis ornatipinnis
Head view

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