Cat-eLog Right Mochokidae Right Mochokinae Right Microsynodontis  |  | 

Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Microsynodontis batesii  Boulenger, 1903
Common Names African Bumblebee Catfish
Humlebiskægmalle (Denmark), Nyong Syno, Zwerg-Synodontis (Germany)
Type Locality Mvile River, southern Cameroon.
Pronunciation mike row sin oh don tiss
Etymology Microsynodontis: From the Greek mikros, meaning small, and synodontis; in reference to the small size of members of this genus. Named after a Mr. G. L. Bates, who collected the fish for Boulenger.
Articles
Article Link - CotM Right 2003 Right May
Down Species Information
Size 100mm or 3.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification The genus Microsynodontis has an interrupted lateral line. The caudal fin is usually rounded or truncate, sometimes with a slight indent. There is a long adipose fin with no fin ray. Three pairs of barbels with the mandibular barbels branched.

See Catfish of the Month and Shane's World articles - links below.
Sexing Males have a more slender genital papilla immediately in front of anus. Mature males have secondary sexual characters including hair-like structures over most of the body and head, and a greatly elongated caudal fin.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution Africa: Congo system, Ogowe River in Gabon, Cameroon.
African Waters, Gabon Waters, Ogowe, Ivindo (click on these areas to find other species found there)
African Waters, Cameroon waters, Southern Cameroon Waters, Ntem (click on these areas to find other species found there)
African Waters, Campo (click on these areas to find other species found there)
African Waters, Cameroon waters, Lobé (click on these areas to find other species found there)
African Waters, Cameroon waters, Nyong (click on these areas to find other species found there)
African Waters, Cameroon waters, Sanaga (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Data Deficient, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2009.
pH 6.4 - 7.0
Temperature 24.0-27.0°C or 75.2-80.6°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters There are reports in some instances of the fish doing better in neutral to slightly hard water (pH 7.0-7.4).
Down Husbandry Information
Feeding Will eat a wide variety of prepared and frozen foods. User data.
Furniture Provide plenty of driftwood and/or rocks as hiding places.
Compatibility A good catfish for the community/African concept tank, though it is somewhat retiring and may not like tankmates that are too boisterous.
Suggested Tankmates Good with many small- to mid-sized community fish. Ideal tankmates include riverine Synodontis, congo tetras (Phenacogrammus interruptus), or African barbs such as Barbus callipterus.
Breeding Not recorded.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Down Further Information
Reference Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1903, v. 1 (pt 1) (art. 3), pp 26, Pl. 4.
Registered Keepers There are 29 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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There are 5 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2023 Jan 12 05:40 (species record created: 2002 Aug 31 00:00)