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

Cat-eLog Mochokidae Mochokinae Synodontis | |

Lateral view
Lake Mai-Ndombe

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Synodontis robertsi** Poll, 1974
Common Names	Roberts' Syno Large Blotch Syno, Large Blotch Synodontis, Roberts Fiederbartwels (Germany)
Type Locality	Elombe, Lukenie River, Democratic Republic of Congo, 2°49'S, 18°14'E.
Pronunciation	sin oh don tiss - rob ert si
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 after Tyson Roberts of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard.
Articles	- CotM 2006 July
Species Information
Size	100mm or 3.9" 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. A small fish, as Synodontis go. Colour pattern like that of a giraffe, a brown background with white or yellow worm lines. Transparent fin membranes with brown spots. Strongly forked caudal fin. Large eyes. Similar to the much larger (20cm) S. caudalis .
Sexing	First lay the fish in your hand with its head toward your palm and the tail toward your fingers. Hold the dorsal spine between your middle and ring finger so the fish is belly up and you won't get punctured by the sharp fin spines (which hurts - be careful). The genital pore is in a small furrow of tissue (in healthy fish) and will be obstructed by the pelvic fins. Pull down on the tail gently to arch the fish's spine and the pelvic fins will stand and the furrow open to display the genital pore and the anus of the fish. The male has a somewhat ridged genital papillae on which the spermatoduct is on the back side, facing the tail fin. A gravid female will also show an extended papillae but the oviduct is on the ventral side of the papillae. It may also show a little redness if gravid. A thin or emaciated female will have just two pink pores, the oviduct and the anus.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Africa: known from the type locality, River Lukenie, Central Democratic Republic of the Congo. African Waters, Congo, Middle Congo (click on these areas to find other species found there) African Waters, Congo, Lower Congo, Kasai, Lukenia (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Data Deficient , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2009.
pH	6.4 - 7.6
Temperature	23.0-28.0°C or 73.4-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	Excessively low pH (below 6.0) will result in erosion of fin rays and membranes.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Not a fussy eater. Will accept flake and tablet food. Especially enjoys live and frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp. User data.
Furniture	Hiding places provided by plant cover.
Compatibility	A small, peaceful fish that is a model citizen in a community tank. Not very shy, but appreciates plant cover.
Suggested Tankmates	Not good with boisterours fish, ideal tankmate for African characins.
Breeding	Not yet successfully bred in captivity.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Revue de Zoologie Africaine v. 88 (no. 2), pp 442, Fig. 1.
Registered Keepers	There are 17 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 7 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.13.29.558
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:37 (species record created: 2001 May 04 00:00)