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Synodontis ruandae Matthes, 1959

Image contributors to this species:

Eccles, D.H. Field guide to the freshwater fishes of Tanzania (2)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: Large teeth, 19 to 33 on lower jaw. Humeral process narrowly pointed, upper edge concave. Dorsal fin rays spotted. This species is closely related to S. victoriae with both probably deriving from a common ancestor, with S. ruandae evolving seperately as a result of its isolation in the upper Kagera drainage (Seegers 2008). Not often seen if at all in imports. Habitat: Synodontis ruandae is endemic to the Akagera River system in Rwanda and Burundi. It occurs at five locations in the Middle and Upper Akagera and has an ongoing threat from regression of swamps and wetlands due to agricultural activities, sedimentation due to erosion on watershed and eutrophication contribute to continuing declines in habitat quality. Fishing pressure is also a potential threat. Diet: Main component of diet is insect larvae, followed by molluscs. Etymology: The specific name ruandae: Of Rwanda, where type locality (Kagera at Rusumu) is situated.

Common Name:

Rwanda ruandae

Synonyms:

Hemisynodontis nigrita, Synodontis ornatus, S. fascipinna

Family:

Mochokidae

Distribution:

Africa: Known from the Akagera River system in Rwanda and Burundi. Type locality: Kagera at Rusumu, Rwanda.

Size:

15.0cm. (6ins)

Temp:

21-26°C (69-79°F)

p.H.

6.0-7.5.

IUCN Red List

Synodontis ruandae is endemic to the Akagera River system in Rwanda and Burundi. It occurs at five locations in the Middle and Upper Akagera and has an ongoing threat from regression of swamps and wetlands due to agricultural activities, sedimentation due to erosion on watershed and eutrophication contribute to continuing declines in habitat quality. Fishing pressure is also a potential threat. This species is therefore listed as Vulnerable D2. It is also close to meeting the area requirements under Criterion B 1, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 21,500 km² (IUCN 2016).

Reference:

Eccles, D.H. 1992 FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Field guide to the freshwater fishes of Tanzania. Prepared and published with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (project URT/87/016). FAO, Rome. 145 p.
FishBase team RMCA & Geelhand, D. 2016. Synodontis ruandae . The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2019. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 08/2019 ).
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.
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.

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

Synodontis ruandae

Synodontis ruandae
Ventral and Dorsal view

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