Synodontis tessmanni Pappenheim, 1911
photo by MNHN

Family:  Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes), subfamily: Mochokinae
Max. size:  13.8 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater,
Distribution:  Africa: rivers Nyong, Ntem and Ivindo in Cameroon and Gabon (Ref. 81251). Report from the Sanaga (Ref. 51193) unconfirmed in Ref. 81251.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: -0. Diagnosis: Body uniformly coloured; caudal fin not spotted; Interorbital distance at most 86.6% of snout length; Entire margin of opercle smooth, caudal fin without single dark patch at base of each fin lobe maxillary barbels with a distinct basal membrane; 21 to 24 movable mandibular teeth; Postocular length at least 60% of snout length, maxillary barbel at least 0.8 times HL; dorsal spine long prolonged by a short filament, without serrations along anterior edge and only a few (2-4) distally on posterior edge (Ref. 81251). Description: mandibular barbels with few branches, broad, partly tuberculate; snout subconical and quite long; lips well-developed, with papillae; humeral process weakly keeled, granular and pointed; adipose fin short and moderately deep; pectoral spine prolonged by a short filament, strongly serrated with twice as many serrations along anterior edge as posterior edge; pelvic fin not reaching anal fin; caudal fin deeply forked, with equal lobes; caudal peduncle as long as deep (Ref. 81251). Coloration: dorsum brownish with somewhat obscured light band along lateral line; no dark spots; ventrally lighter brown; dorsal, anal and pelvic fins with dark band and edges; caudal fin with a dark border along all edges (Ref. 81251).
Biology:  Oviparous (Ref. 205). Maximum total length reported 18.6 cm (Ref. 3202).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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