Article © Richard Broadbent, uploaded December 02, 2009.

Richard Broadbent has kindly supplied this months article. Something of a "spot the difference" feel about this one as Richard introduces Synodontis congica and discussed two other species of similar appearance.

This Congo dwelling species is one of a trio of occasionally imported species which exhibit a few individual large round spots on their flanks: S. nummifer and S. notata being the other two. It is a smaller Synodontis species. Seegers quotes 20.2cm TL as the maximum attainable size but I have not seen one above 13cm, more usually they are seen in dealers tanks at 7-9cm. Although it is not fragile, it is certainly not as robust as a lot of other Synodontis and bottom dwelling companions should be chosen with careful consideration. Ideally, a tank with some smooth round stones and bogwood planted with anubias and a sand substrate is what is required, accompanied by some shoaling African tetras or smaller barbs. It is relatively unfussy as to water conditions and the food that is required, but owners should ensure there is minimal competition for food and there is a good variety of foodstuff offered.

This species may, on occasion, take a while to fully settle down and appear a bit skittish upon introduction, although they do get on well in groups and thus should be kept this way and not as single specimens or as a lone individual in a tank of mixed Synodontis. While we are on the subject of other species, how is this species told apart from the other two?

S. nummifer is probably easiest to identify from the three species. Whilst it is small it reasonably resembles S. decora, with clearly discernable patterning in the caudal and dorsal fins and large body blotches. As it moves towards adulthood the fin patterning fades ever-so slightly and the body blotches reduce to more clearly defined spots on a silvery body. This leaves us to try and differentiate between S. notata and S. congica. Actually it is not all that difficult as the two key features are the maxillary barbel length and snout shape. In S. notata the maxillary barbels are quite long and when swept back along the body, they reach to the end of the humeral process and this species has a pointed snout. In S. congica the snout is blunt with much shorter maxillary barbells, barely reaching back past the eye. The confusion arises because both fish are imported at small sizes and are similarly coloured: a silvery grey-brown with pale belly and have large distinct spots on the flanks. Often, S. notata has a single spot on each flank and additionally S. congica often has two spots on each flank but this is a poor identification process as some specimens of both species have no spots at all and others have differing numbers of spots each side. I remember back in the late 80’s, in a retailer in Birmingham, UK, seeing a large, chunky, foot long S. notata with seven spots on one side and six on the other, quite an extreme example.

This is a very rewarding smaller Synodontis which at this time has not been bred in captivity although it would make great project for a dedicated hobbyist.

Copyright information for the images used in this article can be found on the species' full Cat-eLog page.

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	Synodontis congicus  Poll, 1971
Common Name	Domino-Fiederbartwels (Germany)
Type Locality	Gangala na Bodio, Dungu River, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Synonym(s)	Synodontis congica
Pronunciation	sin oh don tiss
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. Named for the Congo River, its type locality.
Articles
Species Information
Size	202mm or 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.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Africa: Congo basin (except Lower Congo, central basin, Luapula-Moero and High Katanga). African Waters, Congo, Upper Congo (click on these areas to find other species found there) African Waters, Congo, Middle Congo (click on these areas to find other species found there) Log in to view data on a map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2009.
pH	6.2 - 7.2
Temperature	22.0-25.0°C or 71.6-77°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	dH 5-15.
Husbandry Information
Breeding	Unreported.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Annales, Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Série in 8o, Sciences Zoologiques No. 191, pp 440, Fig. 206; Pls. 7(6), 12(16).
Registered Keepers	There are 10 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 8 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	Look up S. congicus on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up S. congicus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.13.29.422
Last Update	2020 Sep 28 05:51 (species record created: 2009 Dec 02 16:07)

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