fish

Synodontis eupterus Boulenger 1901

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Featherfin squeaker

Mochokidae

Synodontis eupterus belongs to the group of Squeakers or upside-down catfishes. Growing quite large this catfish is not so often to encounter in the aquarium. The colouration of juvenile fishes is much different form that of the adults. Up to 4 cm they show nice dark brown pattern, which then slowly changes. The adult specimens get covered by dark spots on more or less dark brown body and fins.

Submitted by
Benedetta Spelta
GPS
2.1409450, 21.4618988

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Geographical region
Drainage Basin
River catchment
Water body type
Water body name
Water body part
Water body course
Water body: tributary of
Tributary name
Type locality
Mouth of Lake No, White Nile, Sudan.
Conservation status/IUCN Red List
Least Concern (LC)

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Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type
fresh-water
Water color
Clear water
Water transparency
High
Concentration of sediments
Low
Water temperature
24.5 - 27.5 °C
Water flow/curent
Slow

Chemical parameters

pH
5.7 - 6.5
Conductivity
best under 50
GH
dGH
KH
dKH
Dissolved Oxygen

Biology

Standard length
22 cm
Water volume (min. aquarium)
200 l
Social behaviour
Small group
Behaviour description

Synodontis eupterus is a peaceful catfish that better kept in small groups of 3-4. In its natural habitat this species occurs over a muddy bottom but may also be found over rocks. In the aquarium it is important that each specimen is given adequate refuge like a large multi-branched piece of driftwood. This species tends to become slightly territorial once it is ready to breed.

Aggression grade
Peaceful
Activity
Diurnal/Day-active
Sexual dimorphism

Sexing this fish is not easy and involves physical contact. Examine the genital pore: males have a ridged papillae with a spermatoduct and gravid females have a oviduct on the ventral side of the extended papillae. In general, if well fed, females are usually larger than males with a bigger girth. They often develop pot bellies, while the males stay comparatively slim.

Nutrition in Nature

Omnivorous. Feeds mainly on insect larvae but will also takes algae.

Reproduction

Breeding tank set-up

The successful aquarium breeding is not reported but would be a prime candidate for hormone production.

Nutrition parents

They will take flake, tablet food, prawns, shrimps and frozen bloodworm.

Mating type
Monogamous
Spawning behaviour

In nature Synodontis eupterus breeds in areas of seasonal flooding that are rich in micro-organisms.

Breeding habits
Egg-scatterer
Hatching period
Number of eggs in average
Parental care
no
Fry number
Nutrition fry
Notes on reproduction

Sitography

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