Mochokidae

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mochokidae
Synodontis njassae 01 ssj 20050321.jpg
Synodontis njassae
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Superfamily:
Family: Mochokidae
Jordan, 1923
Genera

Acanthocleithron
Atopochilus
Atopodontus
Chiloglanis
Euchilichthys
Microsynodontis
Mochokiella
Mochokus
Synodontis

The Mochokidae are a family of catfishes (order Siluriformes) that are known as the squeakers and upside-down catfish (although not all species swim upside-down). There are nine genera and about 200 species of mochokids.[1] All the mochokids are freshwater species originating from Africa.[2]

They have three pairs of barbels, with the nasal barbels absent; sometimes, the mandibular barbels may be branched.[2] The lips are modified into a suckermouth in Atopochilus, Chiloglanis, and Euchilichthys.[2] The adipose fin is usually very long. The dorsal and pectoral fins have spines that are usually strong and with a locking mechanism.[2] They range in size up to 72 cm (28 in) SL.[2] This group contains many popular species among aquarists, such as Synodontis nigriventris, Synodontis angelicus, and Synodontis multipunctatus.

References[]

  1. ^ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2011). "Mochokidae" in FishBase. December 2011 version.
  2. ^ a b c d e Nelson, Joseph S. (2006). Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 0-471-25031-7. OCLC 224053746.

External links[]


Retrieved from ""