Description:
From the recent scientific paper by Wright, J.J. and
L.M. Page. 2006 this species is very much like
S.
grandiops. The
diagnosis for both species is virtually identical
and the main differences concern the smaller eye in
S. multipunctatus, more fin rays in the dorsal
and pectoral fins, and the much larger adult size.
It is quite difficult to differentiate between the
two species from pictures and if you can count
the fin rays (ii,7 in S.grandiops and ii,8
in S. multipunctatus) in living animals that
is a much better bet. Reproduction:
This is of course a cuckoo spawner and as such are
"brood parasites". They received this name
when it was discovered that they use mouth brooding
cichlids as a host for their eggs to hatch. There
are two articles listed above (ScotCat Sources) for
information on breeding this unique species. Aquarium
Care: Can be kept with Lake Tanganyika and
Lake Malawi Cichlids. Best kept in groups in a medium
to large tank. Alkaline water parameters are best
for this and all Lake Tanganyika species.
Diet: All aquarium fish foods are taken,
flake foods, tablet, pellet and frozen foods.
Common
Name:
Cuckoo Synodontis
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Mochokidae
Distribution:
Africa:
Lake Tanganyika, southern end of lake in The Dem.Rep.
of Congo, near to the Zambian border. Type
locality: Lake Tanganyika.
Size:
20.0cm. (8ins)
Temp:
21-25°C (69-77°F)
p.H.
7.2-8.2.
Reference:
Wright, J.J. and L.M.
Page. 2006 Taxonomic
revision of Lake Taganyikan Synodontis (Siluriformes:
Mochokidae). Florida Mus. Nat. Hist. Bull. 46(4):99-154.
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