| Hemisynodontis membranacea | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Superclass: | Osteichthyes |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Subclass: | Neopterygii |
| Infraclass: | Teleostei |
| Superorder: | Ostariophysi |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Mochokidae |
| Genus: | Hemisynodontis Bleeker, 1862 |
| Species: | H. membranacea |
| Binomial name | |
| Hemisynodontis membranacea (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1809) |
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| Synonyms | |
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Hemisynodontis membranacea is the only species of catfish (order Siluriformes) in the genus Hemisynodontis of the family Mochokidae.[1]
H. membranacea can be recognized by the unusually wide membranes on its barbels that give the appearance of a moustache. These fish are patterned with a few large spots on their body that fade quickly with growth[2]. There is a comb of very small spines near the point of the operculum, but they do not protrude through the skin[3]. This fish may reach 50.0 centimetres (19.7 in) SL[4].
This oviparous fish occurs in deep water close to the shore. It is an omnivore that feeds on plankton and detritus, though May also feed on surface insects, chironomid larvae, benthic crustaceans, and mollusks.[4]
In the fishkeeping hobby this fish may be known as the moustache catfish. This fish is a peaceful fish; though sociable when young, they may become quarrelsome with age.[2]