PlanetCatfish.com - Synodontis sp. `POLLI WHITE` (Mochokidae) Cat-eLog

Cat-eLog Mochokidae Mochokinae Synodontis | |

Adult (wild caught)
Juvenile
Juvenile
Pair - female to right
Pair - female to right
Close-up of mouth
Juvenile on dark background

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	Synodontis sp. `POLLI WHITE`
Common Names	White Polli Syno Zambia White Syno
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.
Species Information
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. Almost certainly an undescribed species. The common or trade name is somewhat misleading as the shape of this fish resembles S. lucipinnis more than S. polli. The fin colouration (black dorsal ray), large, well spaced and irregularly shaped spots also identify this species.
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.
General Remarks	Originally thought to be a man made hybrid, some of these picture show wild caught fish and their offpsring. The wild caught fish were collected from the lake by the owner. Proof, if proof were needed, that this is a naturally occuring species and likely an undescribed one at that. It remains however a distinct possibility that this species was one used in producing certain varieties we know are hybrids.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Africa: Lake Tanganyika African Waters, Western Rift Valley Lakes, Tanganyika (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
Husbandry Information
Breeding	Can be achieved with relative ease in a manner identical to S. lucipinnis.
Breeding Reports	There is but a single breeding report, read it here.
Further Information
Registered Keepers	There are 15 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 10 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.13.29.1315
Last Update	2013 Jul 19 17:54 (species record created: 2004 Aug 02 00:00)