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Synodontis zanzibaricus Peters, 1868

Image contributors to this species:

Peter Hardy (2)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Inhabits rivers and possible coastal rivers. Not imported very often. Aquarium Care: As for per Synodontis species but with a proviso that you provide hiding places such as pipe-work and or caves to dilute any aggression. Diet: Will eat most prepared foods and also likes a vegetable addition to the diet. Etymology: The specific name zanzibaricus: –icus (L.), belonging to: Zanzibar, a possible misnomer since the catfish does not occur there; perhaps name refers to general vicinity of type locality (Mombassa, Kenya) to the Zanzibar Archipelago. Remarks: There is ongoing discussions on whether S. zanzibaricus and S. zambezensis are one and the same species, as the colour of the spotted and unspotted patterns seem to overlap on each species, so until we have more investigations into this complex such as DNA studies we will have a better idea.

Common Name:

Eastcoast squeaker

Synonyms:

Synodontis zanzibarica

Family:

Mochokidae

Distribution:

Africa: The eastward-flowing rivers of East Africa from the Pangani northwards to the Tana in Kenya, but perhaps even further to the Somalian Webi Scebeli. Type locality: Wahrscheinlich von Mombas [Kenya].

Size:

22.0cm. (8¾ins)

Temp:

23-26°C (73-79°F)

p.H.

6.5-7.2.

IUCN Red List

The taxonomic status of this species remains uncertain. Additional information was only obtained for the kenyan part of its distribution range so this species is listed as Data Deficient, but needs updating (IUCN 2006).

Reference:

Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2019. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 12/2019 ).
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.
Hanssens, M. & Snoeks, J. 2006. Synodontis zanzibaricus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2006.
Hardy, Peter. pers. comm. 2020.
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 zanzibaricus
Semi-adult, Tana River, Kenya

Synodontis zanzibaricus
Juvenile, Tana River, Kenya

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