Guinea fowl catfish

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Guinea fowl catfish
Guinea fowl catfish (Synodontis angelicus), young animal

Guinea fowl catfish ( Synodontis angelicus ), young animal

Systematics
Sub-cohort : Ostariophysi
Order : Catfish (Siluriformes)
Family : Mochokidae
Subfamily : Whiskered catfish (Mochokinae)
Genre : Synodontis
Type : Guinea fowl catfish
Scientific name
Synodontis angelicus
Schilthuis , 1891

The guinea fowl catfish ( Synodontis angelicus ) belongs to the subfamily of the whiskered catfish ( Mochokinae ) of the family Mochokidae . The species was scientifically described as early as 1891. It has been introduced as an aquarium fish since at least 1954. Although this catfish can be easily distinguished from other species by its unique coloration, many white pits on a dark gray to almost black background, fins (except for the adipose fin ) with white and dark bands, Synodontis tholloni and S. werneri two synonyms in scientific literature. In addition, S. angelicus zonatus was described as a subspecies that differs from the nominate form by additional bright vertical bands on the sides . As has been shown, however, such deviating color patterns can occur within a population that does not justify a special taxonomic position. The scientific species name angelicus is Latin and means 'angelic'. The German name guinea fowl catfish refers to the coloring, which is similar to that of guinea fowl .

Occurrence

The distribution area is almost the entire Congo Basin , including the catchment areas of the Kasai and Ubangi , possibly also the Ogôoué Basin in Gabon , but not the Zambian part of the Congo catchment. It seems to be particularly common in the Malebo Pool (the former Stanley Pool) near the city of Kinshasa , from where it is mainly caught for the aquarium hobby.

size

According to FishBase , this species can reach a length of over half a meter. However, other sources speak of “only” 24 centimeters.

Reproductive biology

The exact reproduction of this species is not known, but it is believed that they are free-spawners . Although the guinea fowl catfish could not yet be bred purely in captivity, hybrids of this species are offered in the ornamental fish trade. These are mainly achieved in Eastern Europe through hormone injections ( pituitary extracts ). From aquarium observations we know that this species becomes intolerant to other conspecifics with increasing age, which indicates habitat behavior.

swell

  • Poll, M. (1971): Révision des Synodontis Africains (Famille Mochocidae). Annales du Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Series 8 Zoology No. 191: 1-497.
  1. Schilthuis, L. (1891): On a collection of fishes from the Congo; with description of some new species. Tijdschrift der Nederlandsche Dierkundige Vereeniging , Ser. 2 (3): 83-92, pl. 6.
  2. ^ Poll, M. (1933): Contribution à la faune ichthyologique du Katanga. Annales du Musee du Congo Belge , (Series 1) 3 (3): 101-152.
  3. Seidel, I. (2008): Caution, hybrids! DATZ , 61 (12): 20-23.

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