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Steve Pritchard (2)

Photographed by the image contributor in the British Museum of Natural History in London. This stuffed specimen was used to describe the species. The long snout is actually artificial as the skin on the snout was stretched over a wire casing for exhibition purposes as can be seen in the x-ray image. Description: Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: 0. Diagnosis: gill slits not extending ventrally beyond pectoral-fin insertions; post-orbital length at most 60% of snout length; maxillary barbels unbranched, not fringed or very slightly fringed at base, shorter than head, without tubercles or basilar membrane; mandibular barbels with a long simple and relatively thin ramifications; mandibular teeth numbering 10-16; dorsal-fin spine smooth anteriorly, pectoral-fin spines weakly denticulate; humeral process triangular and rather pointed posteriorly, its upper margin concave; adipose fin poorly developed, distinctly separated from rayed dorsal fin; colour uniform, sometimes with very fine punctuations. Colouration: Uniformly brownish, with numerous small, rounded spots on sides and adipose fin (this colour corresponds to a stuffed specimen). Aquarium Care: Not recomended for the normal home aquarium as it grows too large. Remarks: In the IUCN List of Endangered Species it is restricted to one location in the Lower Niger river, Nigeria, with an area of occupancy (AOO) of 4 km2. Very little is known about this species besides the type collection which has an uncertain locality, but its habitat is very likely threatened by oil exploration and urban and industrial development in the Niger Delta. The species is therefore assessed as Critically Endangered B2ab(iii).

None

Synodontis labeo

Mochokidae

Africa: Niger basin.

70.0cm. (28ins)

23-25°C (73-77°F)

6.2-7.2.

Awaïss, A., Lalèyè, P. & Olaosebikan, B.D. 2020. Synodontis xiphias. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2021. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 06/2021 ).