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

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Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Synodontis flavitaeniatus** Boulenger, 1919
Common Names	Pyjama Catfish Chocolate Striped Squeaker, Orange Striped Squeaker, Orangestribet Skægmalle (Denmark), Pyjama Syno, Rotstreifen-Fiederbartwels (Germany), Yellow Striped Squeaker
Type Locality	Eala, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Synonym(s)	Synodontis flavitaeniata
Pronunciation	sin oh don tiss - flav ee tay nee at uss
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. flavitaeniata = yellow stripes
Articles	- CotM 2002 January
Species Information
Size	195mm or 7.7" 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 distinctive species that is not easily confused with the many other species of Synodontis. Lighter brown background typically with three darker brown horizontal stripes. Overall brown colour scheme can be strongly tinged with orange, pink (stress coloration) or yellow (older specimens). Some specimens may display a breaking up of the stripes into a mottled pattern. Fins are clear with dark brown mottling. Strongly forked caudal fin. Although reported to grow up to 15.5 cm in the wild, S. flavitaeniata is rarely if ever seen at more than 8 cm in the aquarium. The fish has a golden belly.
Sexing	Although differences in the genital papillae can just be noted in larger Synodontis, the smaller size of this species renders this technique impracticable. Generally females are larger, plumper and, with old age, more pale.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Africa: central Democratic Republic of the Congo. African Waters, Congo, Lower Congo, Pool Malebo (click on these areas to find other species found there) Log in to view data on a map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2009.
pH	6.5 - 8.2
Temperature	24.0-29.0°C or 75.2-84.2°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	Has more stringent demands on water quality than most Synodontis. Although a riverine Synodontis, S. flavitaeniata seems to do equally well in slightly alkaline water. Fins and fin rays will erode quickly in water that is too acidic or of a general poor quality.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Omnivore. Will eat flakes, sinking pellets and small live food. Does not compete well for food with more aggressive species. User data.
Furniture	Use pipes, rock caves or bogwood hideouts - one per Synodontis is required. Although this fish is more sociable than most members of the genus, it will feel more at ease with plenty of places to hide. Plants are unmolested by this species. The fish does not invert as readily as some Synodontis, so bear this in mind when arranging the decor.
Compatibility	A peaceful fish which will not eat other fish, even small ones. Can be shy and reclusive if kept alone or with larger fish, but if kept in groups (4 or more), the troupe will reward the keeper with some comic antics during feeding time.
Suggested Tankmates	Good sized African characins and cyprinids are best; possibly even Asian Rasboras such as scissortails and the like if you wish to look further afield. A group of Pyjama catfish and a large shoal of Congo Tetras would be a sight to behold. Not a Syno for rift lake tanks or for housing with larger fish.
Breeding	Not reported in the aquarium.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Revue de Zoologie Africaine v. 7 (no. 2), pp 161.
Registered Keepers	There are 62 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 8 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 12 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update	2023 Jan 12 05:35 (species record created: 2001 Apr 21 00:00)