Synodontis punctifer Daget, 1965
Synodontis punctifer
photo by Mody, K.

Family:  Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes), subfamily: Mochokinae
Max. size:  28 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 210.0 g
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater, potamodromous
Distribution:  Africa: Bandama basin (Ref. 57223) and Nzo River (Ref. 272) in the Sassandra basin (Ref. 57223), in Côte d'Ivoire.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: -0. Diagnosis: 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 mandibular barbels with numerous long and simple ramifications, branches of inner mandibular barbels similar, except for the anterior ones which are thick and bifid; mandibular teeth numbering 21-27 (25 in the holotype); denticulations of pectoral-fin spines weaker and more dense on outer than on inner margin; dorsal-fin spine smooth anteriorly; dorsal- and pectoral-fin spines prolonged into a filament; humeral process twice as long as deep, pointed and slightly keeled ventrally; adipose fin moderately developed and distinctly separated from rayed dorsal fin; sides covered with numerous small, round spots; a large black spot behind dorsal fin (Ref. 57223). Coloration: rather pale yellowish; back, sides, adipose fin and bases of all other fins marked with numerous small black spots; a well developed black humeral spot, and another large dark mark behind base of rayed dorsal fin (Ref. 57223).
Biology:  Maximum TL was recorded at 26.0 cm (Ref. 57223). Oviparous (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 June 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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