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Andy Isoft (1) Julian Dignall (1) Allan James (3) Hippocampus Bildarchiv (2) Danny Blundell (4) Vedran Cuncic (1)

Description: Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: 0. Gill slits not extending ventrally beyond pectoral-fin insertions; post-orbital length at least 60% of snout length; maxillary barbels longer than head, unbranched, without tubercles and lacking a distinct basal membrane; outer and inner mandibular barbels with numerous long and simple ramifications; mandibular teeth numbering 19-28 (28 in the lectotype); denticulations of pectoral-fin spines weaker and more dense on outer than on inner margin; dorsal-fin spine smooth anteriorly, except for a few apical denticles; humeral process twice as long as deep, granulose, pointed and slightly keeled ventrally; adipose fin well developed and distinctly separated from rayed dorsal fin; sides covered with big black ocellated spots (with a pale centre); no black spot behind dorsal fin. Colouration: Colour rather light; sides and adipose fin marked with large black spots, sometimes with light centres resembling eyespots (ocelli); presence of such ocelli visible particularly in large individuals; adults usually with small spots aligned on caudal fin; speckled pattern extends unto all fins in young specimens, fading subsequently with growth. Recognised by its large adipose fin, large spots on the body and feathered mandibular barbels. As they grow into adulthood they will become deeper bodied and the spots will take on a ring pattern. Aquarium Care: Quite an easy species to keep in a larger aquarium. Non aggressive. Diet: Will eat most prepared aquarium foods including vegetables such as cucumber.

Eye-spot Synodontis

None

Mochokidae

Africa: Various river basins from Senegal to Chad (Senegal, Gambia, Volta, Chad, Niger  basins); including the Bénoué. Type locality: Kunchow Creek, River Gambia.

18.0cm. (7ins)

23-27°C (73-81°F)

6.5-7.2.

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. 197. November 2012.