/mochokidae/synodontis/pleurops/1.jpg "Synodontis pleurops(1) - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/pleurops/2.jpg "Synodontis pleurops(2) Adult - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/pleurops/3.jpg "Synodontis pleurops(3) Pair - female below - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/pleurops/4.jpg "Synodontis pleurops(4) - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/pleurops/5.jpg "Synodontis pleurops(5) - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/pleurops/6.jpg "Synodontis pleurops(6) - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/pleurops/7.jpg "Synodontis pleurops(7) - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/pleurops/8.jpg "Synodontis pleurops(8) - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/pleurops/9.jpg "Synodontis pleurops(9) Feeding at surface - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/pleurops/10.jpg "Synodontis pleurops(10) Male - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/pleurops/11.jpg "Synodontis pleurops(11) Female - Click to enlarge")
/mochokidae/synodontis/pleurops/12.jpg "Synodontis pleurops(12) Close-up of mouth - Click to enlarge")
 Cat-eLog Data Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Synodontis pleurops Boulenger, 1897 |
| Common Name(s) | Bug Eyed Syno |
| Type Locality | Stanley [Boyoma] Falls, Upper Congo R., Zaire. |
| Pronunciation | sin oh don tiss - ploo RAWPS |
| Etymology | Synodontis: From the Greek syn, meaning together, and odontos, meaning tooth; in reference to the closely-spaced lower jaw teeth. |
| Species Information | |
| Size | 230mm (9.1") 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. A very distinctive Synodontis easily identified by its large head, large eyes, relatively long, highly forked tail and dainty little mouth. The basic colour pattern is silvery white overlaid with brown-black markings, but there is considerable variation between individuals. Some specimens are spotted while others are striped. The distinctive markings of juveniles fade somewhat in adults. |
| Sexing | First lay the fish in your hand with its head toward your palm and the tail toward your fingers. Hold the dorsal spine between your middle and ring finger so the fish is belly up and you won't get stuck (Which by the way, hurts like crazy!). The genital pore is in a small furrow of tissue (in healthy fish) and will be obstructed by the pelvic fins. Pull down on the tail gently to arch the fishes spine and the pelvic fins will stand and the furrow open to display the genital pore and the anus of the fish. The male has a somewhat ridged genital papillae on which the spermatoduct is on the back side, facing the tail fin. A gravid female will also show an extended papillae but the oviduct is on the ventral side of the papillae (And may also show a little redness if really gravid). A thin or emaciated female will have just two pink pores, the oviduct and the anus. |
| Habitat Information | |
| Distribution | Upper Congo only, especially around Stanley Falls African Waters  , Congo, Upper Congo (hover or click on these areas to show maps or find other species found there) |
| pH | 6.0 - 8.0 |
| Temperature | 23.0-27.0°C or 73.4-80.6°F (Show others within this range) |
| Other Parameters | More tolerant of slightly acidic pH than many other Synodontis species. |
| Husbandry Information | |
| Feeding | Omnivorous, but more interested in algae and vegetable matter than meat. Tends to be out-competed for food if kept in the company of more aggressive Synodontis species. |
| Furniture | Ample hiding places should be provided. The fish likes to cling to the sides of the aquarium rather than lying on the substrate, so dense Vallisneria and tall driftwood are to be recommended. |
| Compatibility | A peaceful, somewhat skittish fish that can nevertheless hold its own in boisterous company. |
| Breeding | Not reported in the aquarium. |
| Further Information | |
| References | Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (Ser. 6)v. 20 (no. 119) - pp423 |
| Registered Keepers | (1) synodont_fan, who also notes: "I like this species. Mine doesn't show any spots, but has an interesting sickle shaped tail and very boxy head, compared to most synodontids. It likes to hang by its mouth off the end of a piece of wood. Doesn't seem to be aggressive.", (2) Dinyar, (3) jippo (k: 2), (4) Chrysichthys (k: 2), (5) Moomoo, (6) dayglowfroggy (p: 3), (7) syno-kev, (8) Richard B, (9) tomr (k: 2). 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  2009 February -
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| Hits | 11775 hits. |
| Last Update | 2004 Nov 24 00:00 (species record created: 2001 Apr 21 00:00) |
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