Synodontis punu Vreven & Milondo, 2009

Family:  Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes), subfamily: Mochokinae
Max. size:  5.51 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: known from the Nyanga River basin and the Niari (Kouilou) River basin in Republic of Congo, and from the Ngounié River (Ogooué River basin) in Gabon (Ref. 82554).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6-7; Anal spines: 3-4; Anal soft rays: 7-8. A small species of Synodontis; body, at base of pectoral fins broader than high; dorsal profile of snout steep sloping until about vertical through posterior margin of orbit where-upon profile of head more gentle; complete lateral line, curving slightly dorsally above level of humeral process, further posteriorly straight, gently declining towards middle of caudal-fin base; head large (Ref. 82554). Synodontis punu is distinguished from its Lower Guinea congeners by the following unique combination of characters: posterior border of operculum with a single hypertrophied opercular spine in sexually mature males, and caudal fin with a pair of black patches, one on the upper and one on the lower lobe (vs. both characters absent in all other Lower Guinea species except S. acanthoperca) (Ref. 82554).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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