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

Cat-eLog Mochokidae Mochokinae Synodontis var. | |

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Zebra Kutu variant-ventral view
Zebra Kutu variant-stress coloration
Wild caught
Habitat: Kouyou river basin, central Congo. Dots are S. nigriventris.

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Synodontis nigriventris** David, 1936
Common Names	Upside Down Catfish Rückenschwimmender Kongowels (Germany), Sortbuget Rygsvømmermalle (Denmark), Vändmal (Sweden)
Type Locality	Buta, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Synonym(s)	Synodontis nigroventris
Pronunciation	sin oh don tiss - nig ree VENT riss
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. nigri mean dark, ventris meaning belly. Alluding to the reversed counter-shading.
Articles	- CotM 1999 April
Species Information
Size	96mm or 3.8" 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. A common import; although occasionally confused with the similar S. contracta which has a larger head and much larger eyes.
Sexing	Female is larger, plumper and with old age more pale.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Africa: Central Congo basin. African Waters, Congo, Middle Congo (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2009.
pH	6.0 - 7.5
Temperature	22.0-28.0°C or 71.6-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Will eat the vast majority of prepared and live foods. User data.
Furniture	Over hanging structures or tunnels - either rock, wood or large broad leafed plants. These are all to provide shady places of rest while upside down. Choice of substrate is unimportant.
Compatibility	An ideal catfish for the smaller aquarium. Peaceful with both its conspecifics and other residents. To get the best out of this fish it should be kept in small shoals as you would keep Corydoras.
Suggested Tankmates	Any small to medium sized community fish.
Breeding	In the North American Catfish Society Vol. 1 No. 1 Jan. 1996 there appeared an article entitled ''Luck In A Bucket'' by Jay and Mary Ann Angros. The authors keep some of their fishes outdoors in the summer. The catfish were placed in a five gallon bucket full of clay pots and PVC pipe from their regular tank. One author, Jay, took the bucket outside and promptly forgot about it for two days! When the bucket of fish was remembered and checked, the authors found fifty eggs in one piece of PVC. The fish were then brought back inside and placed in a tank that was completely full of crockery and PVC pipes. Sometime later this tank was broken down for cleaning and seven S. nigriventris fry were found. The spawning tank had pH 6.8 and the temperature fluctuated between 78F and 82F. The tank had about an inch of gravel over an under gravel filter. Tankmates included skunk Botia and other Synodontis spp. The fish were fed mainly frozen brine shrimp, bloodworm, and ProGreen (a mixture of green, clams, and shrimp). Based on the account above, it would seem that any attempt at spawning the USD Catfish requires, at a minimum, the following: A well-rounded high quality diet Drastic temperature drops to initiate spawning Soft acidic water Suitable spawning sites
Breeding Reports	There is but a single breeding report, read it here.
Further Information
Reference	Revue de Zoologie et de Botanique Africaines v. 28 (no. 3), pp 417.
Registered Keepers	There are 200 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 2 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 41 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.13.29.334
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:37 (species record created: 2001 Apr 21 00:00)