PlanetCatfish.com - Synodontis macrops (Mochokidae) Cat-eLog

Cat-eLog Mochokidae Mochokinae Synodontis | |

80 mm SL
80 mm SL
80 mm SL
80 mm SL
150 mm SL
Lateral view
Ventral view
Humeral process-100 mm SL specimen

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Synodontis macrops** Greenwood, 1963
Common Name	Apple Syno
Type Locality	A tributary stream of Aswa River, Teso District, Uganda.
Pronunciation	sin oh don tiss - mah crops
Etymology	According to Cuvier, Synodontis is an "ancient name for an undetermined fish from the Nile". It is not derived, as often reported, from syn-, together and odous, tooth, presumed etymology of the lizardfish genus Synodus and refers to the closely-spaced lower jaw teeth of both genera. macrops = large eyes
Species Information
Size	173mm or 6.8" 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. Most easily distinguished by its distinct yellow colour. Spotted pattern especially marked in juveniles, but tends to fade with age.
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	Africa: Aswa River basin (type locality), Nile system in Uganda. African Waters, Nile, Upper Nile (click on these areas to find other species found there) Log in to view data on a map.
IUCN Red List Category	Data Deficient, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2021.
pH	6.5 - 8.5
Temperature	20.0-26.0°C or 68-78.8°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	pH is best kept at a slightly alkaline level around 7.5, with kH and GH of above 3-4. At lower levels, fin membranes start to deteriorate. Fish seems to do fine at pH and hardness typical of Lake Malawi conditions.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	A hungry, fast growing fish that will eat practically anything but is more carnivorous than most Synodontis species. User data.
Furniture	Caves, driftwood, plants like Vallisneria.
Compatibility	Similar to S. schall. Like S. schall, S. macrops grows quite large and can be an aggressive, boisterous fish. Small fish up to 2 cm may be at risk. Keep with other similarly sized fish. Can be kept in a Rift Lake cichlid tank.
Breeding	Unreported.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London v. 140 (pt 1), pp 66.
Registered Keepers	There are 2 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is no wish to keep this species.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 3 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update	2020 Sep 23 03:21 (species record created: 2003 Nov 15 00:00)