Description:
Like all members of the genus Synodontis,
S. pulcher has a strong, bony head capsule
that extends back as far as the first spine of the
dorsal fin. The head contains a distinct narrow, bony,
external protrusion called a humeral process. The
fish has three pairs of barbels. The maxillary barbels
are on located on the upper jaw, and two pairs of
mandibular barbels are on the lower jaw. The adipose
fin is large and the tail, or caudal fin, is forked.
Synodontis have a structure called a premaxillary
toothpad, which is located on the very front of the
upper jaw of the mouth. This structure contains several
rows of short, chisel-shaped teeth. On the lower jaw,
or mandible, the teeth are attached to flexible, stalk-like
structures and described as "s-shaped" or
"hooked". Aquarium Care:
Very rarely imported so maintenance would be as per
other members of this family. Diet:
A varied diet as per Synodontis species.
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Mochokidae
Distribution:
Africa:
known from the type locality, Stanley Pool, Democratic
Republic of the Congo.
Size:
12.0cm. (4¾ins)
Temp:
22-28°C (71-83°F)
p.H.
6.5-7.2.
Reference:
Boulenger, George Albert
(1909). Catalogue of the fresh-water fishes
of Africa in the British museum (Natural history).
London: British Museum. p. 391. Cuvier, Georges (1934). The Animal
Kingdom Arranged in Conformity with its Organization,
Volume 10. Translated by Griffith, Edward. London:
Whittaker and Co. p. 406.
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