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Brichard's synodontis (Synodontis brichardi) — Mochokidae

Brichard's synodontis

Synodontis brichardi
Family: Mochokidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Brichard's synodontis (Synodontis brichardi) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

Brichard's synodontis is a squeaker catfish (Mochokidae) from the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species has a slender, streamlined body, adapted to the strong current of the lower Congo, with a sucking lower mouth and barbels. It lives among stones in rapids and feeds on filamentous algae it rasps from rocks. The stout pectoral and dorsal fin spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brichard's synodontis?

The Brichard's synodontis has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Brichard's synodontis live?

The Brichard's synodontis lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Brichard's synodontis get?

The Brichard's synodontis grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Brichard's synodontis dangerous to humans?

No, the Brichard's synodontis is harmless to humans.

Is the Brichard's synodontis edible?

The Brichard's synodontis is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Brichards kattenmeerval sourced
English name
Brichard's synodontis sourced
Scientific name
Synodontis brichardi
Family
Mochokidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Synodontis

More from the family Mochokidae

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