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f you are looking for a member of the Synodontis genera that can co-exist with the rest of your fish in a community tank, look no further than the inoffensive Synodontis batesii. This is one of my favourite genera's and you do need to read up on any given species as they are very diverse in there temperament even at the same species level.

Synodontis batesii

The natural habitat of S. batesii are found in the south of Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the central Congo basin where they are found in smaller jungle streams (Seegers, L., 2008). They look very similar to Mochokiella paynei from Sierra Leone in appearance and colouration but M. paynei has very long branched barbels (outer mandibular = 3 branches, inner mandibular = 4) and it is comparatively smaller.

Synodontis batesii - long triangular humeral process

The type locality of the the Dja (Ja) river, also called Ngoko River, in west-central Africa forms part of the border between Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo. It rises southeast of Abong Mbang, in southeastern Cameroon, and flows generally southeast past Moloundou to Ouesso, Republic of the Congo, where it empties into the Sangha River (a tributary of the Congo River) after a course of about 450 miles (720 km). The Dja Faunal Reserve in Cameroon, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, lies along its upper course and protects one of the largest tracts of tropical rainforest in Africa. Below Moloundou, the river is navigable by small boats throughout the year and supports local fishing (Britannica 2022).

None

Synodontis tessmanni

Mochokinae

Africa: Middle Congo River basin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, rivers Dja, Nyong, upper Ivindo (Ogooué basin) and Ntem in Cameroon, Mbini/Woleu, Ivindo, Ogowe and Ouzibi in Gabon and Muni River in Equatorial Guinea. Type locality: Ja River, South Cameroon.

10.0cm. (4ins)

23-26°C (73-79°F)

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: 0. Diagnosis: eye 18.0-21.0% HL; body with 2 large clear transverse bands; 26-44 mandibular teeth; dorsal spine fully serrated along entire anterior edge. Long triangular humeral process which runs to a point.

Will do well in a moderate sized aquarium 3' 0" or over with hiding places such as pipework to form caves as this species is quite shy.

Oviparous with distinct pairing during breeding.

Not recorded.

Will eat most aquarium fare but like most of this genera will relish mosquito larvae.

Adipose fin: Fleshy finlike projection without rays, behind the rayed dorsal fin.
Anal fin: The median, unpaired, ventrally located fin that lies behind the anus, usually on the posterior half of the fish.
Caudal peduncle: The narrow part of a fish's body to which the caudal or tail fin is attached.
Dorsal fin: The primary rayed fin(s) on top of the body.
Humeral process: Bony extension of the pectoral girdle.
Mandibular teeth: Pertaining to the lower jaw.
Mandibular: Pertaining to the lower jaw. (mandibular barbels).

Synodontis:From the Greek syn, meaning together, and odontos, meaning tooth; in reference to the closely-spaced lower jaw teeth.
batesii: In honour of Bates, the English explorer and collector.

Photo Credits

© Allan James @ 

© Peter Hardy
Map: Pinterest Oxford Cartographers