Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes) > Mochokinae
Etymology: Synodontis: Greek, syn, symphysis = grown together + Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: This is a toponym referring to Lake Victoria, where these species occur. (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Boulenger.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 80 m (Ref. 34291), usually 20 - ? m (Ref. 34291). Tropical; 23°C - 27°C (Ref. 13614)
Africa: Lake Victoria, Lake Kioga, Victoria Nile and Malagarasi drainage (Ref. 78218, 82238).
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 9.1, range 8 - 10 cm
Max length : 35.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 34290)
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 7. 16-21 mandibular teeth. Maxillary barbels reaching posterior tip of the humeral process, or occasionally beyond. Mandibular barbels with slender branches. Greyish silver, with dark spots of variable size. Caudal fin occasionally spotted (Ref. 34290).
Occurs in rivers and lakes and prefers deeper water (0-80 m) (Ref. 34291), although it also occurs in shallow water (Ref. 34290). In Lake Victoria it occurs over hard and soft substrates, but is more common over soft bottoms and in water over 13 m deep; feeds on gastropod molluscs and insects (mainly chironomid larvae), and to a minor extent on fishes and ostracoda; able to extract the flesh of snails without crushing their shells (Ref. 12526). Rarely grows to lengths greater than 35 cm SL (Ref. 34290). Oviparous (Ref. 205).
Oviparous (Ref. 205). Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
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. (Ref. 3202)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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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=0.01380 (0.00695 - 0.02741), b=2.89 (2.73 - 3.05), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.3 ±0.48 se; based on food items.
Generation time: 4.6 ( na - na) years. Estimated as median ln(3)/K based on 1
growth studies.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec = 1,500).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate vulnerability (38 of 100).
