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Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes) > Mochokinae
Etymology: Synodontis: Greek, syn, symphysis = grown together + Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Henri Courtet (1858–1912) was a French soldier who served mainly in French colonial possessions. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Pellegrin.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.5 - 8.0; dH range: 12 - 25. Tropical; 22°C - 25°C (Ref. 2060); 17°N - 4°N
Africa: Chad and Niger basins, including the Benue (Ref. 7362, 57223).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 50.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 31256)
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: 0. Diagnosis: gill slits not extending ventrally beyond pectoral-fin insertions; post-orbital length at most 60% of snout length; maxillary barbels not fringed or very slightly fringed at base, shorter than head, unbranched and without tubercles or basal membrane; mandibular barbels with thin, simple and rather long ramifications; mandibular teeth short and few, numbering 13-17 (17 in holotype); dorsal-fin spine short and smooth anteriorly; denticulation of pectoral-fin spines finer on outer than on inner margin; humeral process narrow, triangular, pointed and slightly keeled ventrally; adipose fin normally developed and well separated from rayed dorsal fin; head broad, eyes small, in dorso-lateral position; colour pattern of large rounded spots on body and fins (Ref. 57223).
Coloration: yellow-olivaceous, darker on back, lighter on belly; back, sides, rayed dorsal fin and adipose fin covered with big black spots which become lighter on belly and smaller on other fins; head covered with numerous, very close-set black points smaller than those on body (Ref. 57223).
Maximum SL was recorded at 450mm, maximum TL at 550mm (Ref. 7362, 57223). Oviparous (Ref. 205).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous (Ref. 205). Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
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. (Ref. 57223)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01175 (0.00468 - 0.02950), b=2.97 (2.78 - 3.16), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.8 ±0.3 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate vulnerability (44 of 100).
