Description:
The maxillary barbels are on located on the upper
jaw, and two pairs of mandibular barbels are on the
lower jaw. The maxillary barbel is straight without
any branches, with a broad membrane at the base. It
extends about 1+1/4 the length of the head. The outer
pair of mandibular barbels is about twice as long
as the inner pair, have long, slender branches with
secondary branches. The front edges of the dorsal
fins and the pectoral fins are hardened into stiff
spines. In S. geledensis, the spine is 4/5
as long as the head, nearly straight, serrated in
the front and smooth on the back. The remaining portion
of the dorsal fin is made up of seven branching rays.
The spine of the pectoral fin is as long as the head,
and serrated on both sides. The adipose fin is 4 times
as long as it is deep and the anal fin contains four
unbranched and eight branched rays, and is obtusely
pointed in front. The caudal fin, is deeply forked.
The premaxillary toothpad,
which is located on the very front of the upper jaw
of the mouth contains several rows of short, chisel-shaped
teeth. In S. geledensis, 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. geledensis, there are about 18 teeth
on the mandible. Colouration: The
colour of the fish is brownish on the back and sides,
and whitish on the underside.Habitat:
Uebi Shebeli (Somalia), Lorian Swamps and Ewaso Nyiro
(Uebi Giuba basin, Kenya), also reported from Wabi
Shebele in Ethiopia. Aquarium Care:
As far as we know this species has not yet been exported
to the hobby. Etymology: Named for
Geledi on the Shebeli in Somalia, its type locality.
Remarks:
This species is known from only three or four locations
in Kenya and Wabe Shebele basin, but it is thought
to have a far wider range, with an AOO of more than
2,000 if it is assumed that this species is present
in the extent of the basin. It is therefore assessed
as Least Concern. Threats include dam building on
Genale, and irrigation. If a smaller distribution
is found or expected, this species will need to be
reassessed (IUCN 2010).
Common
Name:
Geledi squeaker
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Mochokidae
Distribution:
Africa:
Uebi Shebeli, Somalia; Lorian Swamps and Uasso Nyiro
(Uebi Giuba basin), Kenya. Type locality:
Geledi on the Shebeli.
Size:
30.5cm. (14ins)
Temp:
23-27°C (73-81°F)
p.H.
6.0-8.0.
Reference:
Boulenger, George Albert
(1909). Catalogue of the fresh-water fishes
of Africa in the British museum (Natural history).
London: British Museum. pp. 458–459.
Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes,
recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and
catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors.
2023. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.
www.fishbase.org, ( 02/2023 ). Getahun, A., Hanssens, M. & Snoeks, J.
2010. Synodontis geledensis. The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species 2010. 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.
Synodontis
geledensis Line drawing-dorsal
head view
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