/mochokidae/synodontis/contracta/1.jpg "Synodontis contracta(1) - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/contracta/2.jpg "Synodontis contracta(2) - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/contracta/3.jpg "Synodontis contracta(3) - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/contracta/4.jpg "Synodontis contracta(4) - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/contracta/5.jpg "Synodontis contracta(5) - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/contracta/6.jpg "Synodontis contracta(6) - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/contracta/7.jpg "Synodontis contracta(7) - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/contracta/8.jpg "Synodontis contracta(8) - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/contracta/9.jpg "Synodontis contracta(9) - Click to enlarge")
 Cat-eLog Data Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Synodontis contracta Vinciguerra, 1928 |
| Common Name(s) | Big-nosed Upside Down Catfish, Bug Eyed Squeaker |
| Type Locality | Rubi R. at Buta, Zaire. |
| Synonym(s) | Synodontis contractus |
| Pronunciation | sin oh don tiss - kon TRACK tah |
| Etymology | Synodontis: From the Greek syn, meaning together, and odontos, meaning tooth; in reference to the closely-spaced lower jaw teeth. |
| Species Information | |
| Size | 60mm (2.4") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp. |
| Identification | All species in the genus Synodontis have a hardened head cap that has attached a process (humeral process) which is situated behind the gill opening and pointed towards the posterior. The dorsal fin and pectoral fins have a hardened first ray which is serrated. Caudal fin is always forked. There is one pair of maxillary barbels, sometimes having membranes and occasionally branched. The two pairs of mandibular barbels are often branched and can have nodes attached. The cone-shaped teeth in the upper jaw are short. S-shaped and movable in the lower jaw. These fish produce audible sounds when disturbed rubbing the base of the pectoral spine against the pectoral girdle. It is very similar in colour pattern to the more commonly encountered Synodontis nigriventris. The main differences being that S. contracta has a bigger head, broader mouth and far larger eye. |
| Sexing | Unknown, hard to tell differences in genital papillae in such a small species. |
| General Remarks | Males reach no larger than 70mm SL. |
| Habitat Information | |
| Distribution | Africa: Congo region (Stanley Pool) at Kinshasa. African Waters  , Congo (hover or click on these areas to show maps or find other species found there) |
| pH | 6.2 - 7.6 |
| Temperature | 22.0-26.0°C or 71.6-78.8°F (Show others within this range) |
| Husbandry Information | |
| Feeding | Live foods, frozen foods, tablet, granulated and flake foods. The species is fond of snails and some vegetable matter should be included in the diet. |
| Furniture | Well planted tank would best suit this fish as it lives in this type of habitat in the wild over muddy substrate. |
| Compatibility | A peaceful species even with its own kind. |
| Suggested Tankmates | Most small to medium sized community fishes. African tetras would be the most appropriate. This species is found in large shoals in the wild and should be kept in a group of at least 3 or 4 individuals preferably more. |
| Breeding | Although not hatched, at least one aquarium spawning has been encountered. A small group produced one batch of thirty, large (3.0 mm diameter) bright orange eggs, these were hidden away at the back of the tank. |
| Further Information | |
| References | Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. `Giacomo Doria' v. 53 - pp24 [20] - Pl. 1 |
| Registered Keepers | (1) synoguy (k: 4), (2) Ak Viking, (3) Jools (k: 6), (4) synodont_fan, (5) RobDoran1, (6) Jeox, (7) Richard B, (8) Reginator (k: 2), (9) jippo (k: 8), (10) fuzzytigerbird, (11) MatsP (k: 9), (12) corybreed. Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.  Add this species to your "my cats" page. |
| Breeding Reports | None. |
| More Resources |
 - CotM  2005 February -
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| Hits | 17575 hits. |
| Last Update | 2009 Jan 08 12:45 (species record created: 2003 Aug 23 00:00) |
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