Synodontis multipunctatus
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| Synodontis multipunctatus |
Synodontis multipunctatus is a small catfish from Lake Tanganyika, one of the lakes in the Great Rift Valley system in Africa, and is also known as the cuckoo catfish, cuckoo squeaker, or multipunk. It is a brood parasite upon mouthbrooding cichlids.
[edit] General
Synodontis multipunctatus is one of a number of members of the Mochokidae family of catfish in Lake Tanganyika, which is more famous for its cichlids. It gathers in large schools at depths of about 40 metres in the lake.
S. multipunctatus is notable for its breeding behaviour - it is a brood parasite, similar to the cuckoo from which it takes its common name. Lake Tanganyika is home to a number of mouthbrooding cichlids, which care for their eggs and young by carrying them in their mouth. S. multipunctatus uses these, particularly Ctenochromis horei and Simochromis babaulti, as unwitting caretakers for their children.
The smell of spawning cichlids excites S. multipunctatus into spawning, and as the cichlids lay their eggs the catfish will quickly slip in and eat its eggs before they can be collected by the mother. While doing so they also release and fertilise their own eggs. The female cichlid will hastily attempt to scoop up her eggs and, in doing so, will also collect eggs from S. multipunctatus. These eggs will then hatch inside the unwilling adoptive mother's mouth, and proceed to eat the cichlid eggs present before being released by the cichlid. This technique removes the burden of parental care from the S. multipunctatus, and allows them to breed again sooner.
[edit] In the aquarium
Synodontis multipunctatus is a beautiful and popular addition to any cichlid aquarium. They grow to about 15cm, and can be bred in captivity provided suitable hosts are present. Some aquarists have had success with host cichlids from Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria as well as those from Lake Tanganyika.
[edit] References
- Tanganyika cichlids in their natural habitat, Ad Konigs, Cichlid Press, 1998
- Lake Tanganyika cichlids: A complete pet owners manual, Mark P. Smith, Barron's Educational Services, 1998
- Fiederbartwelse aus dem Tanganjikasee, Erwin Schraml, DATZ 56 (8) 2003: 60-65.
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