Cat-eLog Right Mochokidae Right Mochokinae Right Synodontis  |  | 

Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Synodontis eupterus  Boulenger, 1901
Common Names Featherfin Syno
Featherfin Squeaker, Fjäderfenssynodontis (Sweden), Fjerfinnet Skægmalle (Denmark)
Type Locality Mouth of Lake No, White Nile, Sudan.
Synonym(s) Synodontis euptera, Synodontis macrepipterus
Pronunciation sin oh don tiss - you TERR ahh
Etymology According to Cuvier, Synodontis is an "ancient name for an undetermined fish from the Nile". It is apparently not derived, as often reported, from syn-, together and odous, tooth, presumed etymology of the lizardfish genus Synodus and in reference to the closely-spaced lower jaw teeth of both genera. This specific epithet literally means beautiful (eu-=beautiful,good) wing (pteron=wing).
Articles
Article Link - CotM Right 1997 Right May
Down Species Information
Size 300mm or 11.8" 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.

Juvenile colouration is quite different from that of the adult. The change begins when the fish reach about 40mm and gradually continues until they pass the 100mm mark.
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.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution Africa: White Nile, Chad, Volta and Niger basins, including the Bénoué.
African Waters, Chad (click on these areas to find other species found there)
African Waters, Nigeria Waters, Niger (click on these areas to find other species found there)
African Waters, Nile, Upper Nile, White Nile (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2019.
pH 5.6 - 7.5
Temperature 22.0-26.0°C or 71.6-78.8°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters Undemanding.
Down Husbandry Information
Feeding Bloodworm, Sinking Catfish Pellets, Doromin User data.
Furniture Lots of rock caves and bogwood. Likes open spaces to patrol in the twilight / dark. Ensure the fish do not hide near a heater; they can burn themselves which leaves a nasty scar.
Compatibility Peaceful. Can be kept singly or in groups given adequate refuge for each individual. A large multi-branched piece of bogwood is ideal.
Suggested Tankmates Most medium or large community fish. Although commonly available as such, not a good species for the small community tank. Anything smaller than 3foot / 1 meter long, go for Synodontis nigriventris instead.
Breeding Unknown
Breeding Reports There is but a single breeding report, read it here.
Down Further Information
Reference Annals and Magazine of Natural History (Series 7) v. 8 (no. 43) (art. 2), pp 11.
Registered Keepers There are 362 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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There are 6 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars!
There are 52 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2023 Jan 12 05:28 (species record created: 2001 Apr 19 00:00)