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

Cat-eLog Mochokidae Mochokinae Synodontis | |

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Synodontis contractus** Vinciguerra, 1928
Common Names	Bug Eyed Squeaker Big-nosed Upside Down Catfish, Bugeye Squeaker, Davids Rückenschwimmender Congowels (Germany), Lille Rygsvømmermalle (Denmark)
Type Locality	Rubi River at Buta, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Synonym(s)	Synodontis contracta, Synodontis davidi
Pronunciation	sin oh don tiss - kon TRACK tah
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.
Articles	- CotM 2005 February
Species Information
Size	97mm 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. It is very similar in colour pattern to the more commonly encountered Synodontis nigriventris. The main differences being that S. contracta has a bigger head, broader mouth and far larger eye.
Sexing	Unknown, hard to tell differences in genital papillae in such a small species.
General Remarks	Males reach no larger than 70mm SL.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Africa: Congo basin. African Waters, 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	6.2 - 7.6
Temperature	22.0-26.0°C or 71.6-78.8°F (Show species within this range)
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Live foods, frozen foods, tablet, granulated and flake foods. The species is fond of snails and some vegetable matter should be included in the diet. User data.
Furniture	Well planted tank would best suit this fish as it lives in this type of habitat in the wild over muddy substrate.
Compatibility	A peaceful species even with its own kind.
Suggested Tankmates	Most small to medium sized community fishes. African tetras would be the most appropriate. This species is found in large shoals in the wild and should be kept in a group of at least 3 or 4 individuals preferably more.
Breeding	Although not hatched, at least one aquarium spawning has been encountered. A small group produced one batch of thirty, large (3.0 mm diameter) bright orange eggs, these were hidden away at the back of the tank.
Breeding Reports	There is but a single breeding report, read it here.
Further Information
Reference	Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale `Giacomo Doria' v. 53, pp 24 [20], Pl. 1.
Registered Keepers	There are 21 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 11 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	Look up S. contractus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.13.29.414
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:36 (species record created: 2003 Aug 23 00:00)