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Edit Synodontis membranaceus

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Name

Scientific name

Synodontis membranaceus

Described by

Authority Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, Year 1809, Bracketed

Family

Mochokidae

Common names

Moustache Catfish

Photograph credits

All 3 credited

Summary

The moustache catfish, Synodontis membranaceus, is a large mochokid widespread in Africa, from Egypt and Sudan to Senegal and Nigeria. Its …

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

500mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm, Minimum height 60 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 22–26°C, pH 6.5–7.5

Hardness

5–15dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Territorial

Social needs

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not recorded

Community suitability
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Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Gambia, Mauritania

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

A widespread species occuring in Egypt, Nigeria, Gambia, Cameroon, Senegal, Chad, Malawi, Ghana, Niger and Sudan.

Habitat

Inhabits deep shorelines of rivers and streams.

Aquarium size

120 ∗ 60 ∗ 60 cm - ~432 litres.

Maintenance

An aquarium with a soft substrate and rocks, pieces of driftwood and twisted roots arranged to form hiding places suits this species. Broad-leaved plants such …

Water conditions

Temperature: 22 – 26 °C pH: 6.5-7.5 Hardness: 5-15°H

Diet

An omnivorous species. Frozen, live and dried foods are all accepted. It also relishes vegetable matter in the form of shelled peas, cucumber etc. You will oft…

Behaviour and compatibility

S. membranaceus can be kept in groups when juvenile but it becomes territorial with conspecifics as it matures. Otherwise it's peaceful for its size, although …

Sexual dimorphism

The female is plumper than the male when adult. It can also be sexed by examining the genital papillae. This is not for the amateur however. If you're brave en…

Reproduction

Unrecorded in aquaria.

Notes

There is some confusion as to where this species should be placed taxonomically. It is currently the only species in the genus Hemisynodontis but it has been r…

References

References

No references