Not imported very often. Description:
Like all members of the genus Synodontis,
S. serratus 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 shape and
size of the humeral process helps to identify the
species. In S. smiti, the humeral process
is rough, and rounded or obtusely pointed at the end.
The maxillary barbels have a very broad membrane and
the mandibular barbels are branched. All
members of 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.
In S. smiti, the toothpad forms a short,
broad band. On the lower jaw, or mandible, the teeth
of Synodontis are attached to flexible, stalk-like
structures and described as "s-shaped" or
"hooked". The number of teeth on the mandible
is used to differentiate between species; in S.
smiti, there are about 16 or 17 teeth on the
mandible. Colouration:
The colour of the fish is brown, with indistinct darker
spots and marblings. Round dark spots appear on the
rayed fins, and may appear as bands. Aquarium
Care: Noted as being peaceful in the aquarium.
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
Synodontis soloni, Synodontis
tenuis
Family:
Mochokidae
Distribution:
Africa: Ubangi
and Lualaba rivers. (Zaire). Type locality:
l’Ubangi à Banzyville.
Size:
22.0cm. (8¾ins)
Temp:
23-25°C (73-77°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. pp. 457–458. Cuvier, Georges (1934). The Animal
Kingdom Arranged in Conformity with its Organization,
Volume 10. Translated by Griffith, Edward. London:
Whittaker and Co. p. 406. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors.
2020. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.
www.fishbase.org, ( 01/2020 ). Gosse, J.-P., 1986. Mochokidae. p.
105-152. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys
van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater
fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels, MRAC, Tervuren;
and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 2. Seegers, L. 2008 The catfishes of
Africa. A handbook for identification and maintenance.
Aqualog Verlag A.C.S. GmbH, Germany. 604 p.
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