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Hippocampus Bildarchiv (2) Allan James (2) Chris Ralph (1)

It is also very much like in appearance, the genus Microsynodontis, but they have longer mandibular barbels, a larger eye, smaller adipose fin and a forked caudal fin, whereas the Microsynodontis genus has a rounded caudal and smaller eyes. Description: Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Anal soft rays: 10 - 11. Outer pair of mandibular barbels with 3, inner pair with 4, long and simple ramifications. Colouration: colour pattern marbled; upper side of head dark with diffuse lighter cross-bars; black band between nostrils and eyes, another one ventrally between eyes and mouth; pale interorbital band; dark spots on cheeks and gill cover and dark brown area between dorsal-fin base and lateral line; below humeral process, this pigmentation forms a reticulate pattern; broad light bar behind adipose fin descending to posterior part of anal-fin base; caudal peduncle uniformly dark dorsally, ventrally pale behind anal fin, but becoming darker towards caudal fin; small dark spot at pelvic-fin bases; adipose fin dark, but white-edged posteriorly; all barbels striated. It is very close to the Synodontis species but can be told apart by its very long branched barbels (outer mandibular = 3 branches, inner mandibular = 4) and its comparatively small size. Aquarium Care: This catfish is an excellent addition to any community tank. It can be very secretive during the day but is certainly happier if you furnish the aquarium with hiding places such as bogwood/logs, pipes or rockwork. You can then see it occasionally with such a set-up. Diet: Will take most prepared aquarium foods such as frozen bloodworm, whiteworm, shrimp, prawns, tablet food, flake and pellets. Etymology: Mochokiella paynei was named after its discoverer, Dr. Payne, in a rain forest creek in Sierra Leone.

Payne's Catfish

None

Mochokidae

Africa: Kassawe Forest Reserve, Sierra Leone; known only from type locality. Type locality: Kassawe Forest Reserve, Sierra Leone.

8.0cm. (3¼ins)

22-26°C (71-79°F)

6.2-7.5.

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2020. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 12/2020 ).
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.
ScotCat Factsheet no. 39; Sept. 1999.