Synodontis omias Günther, 1864
photo by JJPhoto

Family:  Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes), subfamily: Mochokinae
Max. size:  36 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: central Niger Basin (Ref. 57223). Reports from the Cross basin (Ref. 52861, 85170) need confirmation.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: -0. Diagnosis: (the description that follows fits the only whole specimen identified as this species, the type specimen being reduced to a skeleton) gill slits not extending ventrally beyond pectoral-fin insertions; maxillary barbels not fringed, longer than head, without branches or tubercles, but with a distinct, short, basal membrane; mandibular barbels with thick, subdivided ramifications, those of the inner pair even tuberculate; mandibular teeth moderately developed, numbering 55; denticulation on pectoral-fin spines weaker on outer than on inner margins; dorsal-fin spine anteriorly smooth; 1st ray of dorsal and anal fins, as well as both caudal-fin lobes, prolonged into filaments; humeral process pointed, granulose and with 3 backwards pointing spines on ventral margin (young individuals have only the posterior spine slightly developed); adipose fin normally developed and rather distinctly separated from rayed dorsal fin (Ref. 57223). Coloration: body of the alcohol-preserved specimen uniformly light brown (Ref. 57223).
Biology:  Maximum total length was recorded at 43.0cm (Ref. 57223). Oviparous (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 September 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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