Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes) > Mochokinae
Etymology: Synodontis: Greek, syn, symphysis = grown together + Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 12. Tropical; 22°C - 26°C (Ref. 1672)
Africa: middle Congo River basin, including Pool Malebo (=Stanley Pool) and drainages of the Kasai and Ubangi (Ref. 78218, 82238). Also reported from the Kouilou-Niari basin at Makaka, Republic of the Congo (Ref. 82238).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 9.6 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3202)
Feeds mainly at night on insects, crustaceans and plant matter (Ref. 7020). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 80 cm (Ref. 51539).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
The parents tend their clutch more than they guard it.
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. (Ref. 3202)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
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