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s I do love the Synodontis genera and have for many years I couldn't help but compile another factsheet on them and a real beauty to boot in the "Long-Nosed Synodontis" S. longirostris. Not a colourful species but none the less an impressive looking Synodontis when in good condition. I spied a group of them in a large tank in Pier Aquatics, the premier aquatic outlet in Wigan northern England, and a haven for us catfish aficionados. I couldn't take any of them home as tank space was at a premium and with a stated SL of 50cm (20ins) it was definitely a no no.

Synodontis longirostris

This is one of the easier species of Synodontis to identify with the spotted body and the long down turned mouth. The SL size of 50cm (20ins) may not be obtainable in the home aquarium as it is in its natural habitat but nonetheless it is a fairly large species and would need a sizeable tank to house them.

Synodontis longirostris - head & mouth view showing the tooth plates

Shape of humeral process

Shape of the tooth plates

The above two images show the shape of the humeral process and the tooth plate of S. longirostris.

Long-Nosed Synodontis

Synodontis ovidus

Mochocinae

Africa: Congo basin. Type locality: Rivière Yembe à Banzyville.

50.0cm (20ins)

21-24°C (69-75°F)

Small eyes. Small and low adipose fin. A long, conical, prominent snout. Small and supero-lateral, 1.7 (1.7 to 3.6) time in interorbital space that is flat. Humeral process is triangular or subtriangular, the tip is generally obtuse or sometimes truncated, granular and without Crest, 2.2 (1.8 to 2.9) times as long as high.

Light grey to brown/olive, fully dotted with black spots. quite large and rounded, smaller on the head. Underbelly largely clear with only a few spots scattered here and there. All the fins dotted with black spots.

Can be a little territorial as most Synodontis will be but no problems in a large aquarium. Provide hiding places to decrease any territorial aggressions. Any larger Characins and peaceful Cichlids.

Not reported, but they pair of to breed in their natural habitat.

Will take most prepared aquarium foods such as frozen bloodworm, whiteworm, shrimp, prawns, insect larvae, tablet food, a good quality flake food and pellets. A wide varied diet will provide a healthy specimen for many years. They prefer to feed from the bottom hence their downturned conical snout.

Synodontis: Syn = together; odontis =  teeth (fused tooth plates).
longirostris: Long snout.

Photo Credits

© Allan James @
© Danny Blundell
Line Drawings from Poll, Max; Revision Des Synodontis Africains (Famille Mochokidae) 1971.