| Synodontis Temporal range: Early Miocene - Recent |
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| Synodontis njassae | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Mochokidae |
| Genus: | Synodontis Cuvier, 1816 |
| Type species | |
| Silurus clarias Linnaeus, 1758 |
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| Species | |
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See text. |
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| Synonyms | |
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Synodontis is the largest genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Mochokidae. Synodontis are also known as squeakers, due to their ability to make stridulatory sounds through their pectoral fin spines when handled or disturbed.[1] These catfish are small- to medium-sized fish.[2], with many species exhibiting attractive spotted markings. Some species are also known for naturally swimming belly-up, earning the name upside-down catfish.[1]
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Synodontis is the most widely distributed mochokid genus, occurring throughout most of the freshwaters of sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile River system.[1] Their distribution is similar to that of cichlid fishes, however, unlike cichlids the majority of their diversity occurs in rivers not lakes.
Synodontis catfish form a small endemic radiation in Lake Tanganyika (Day & Wilkinson, 2006; Koblmüller et al. 2006; Day et al. 2009), which includes the non-endemic species S. victoriae. This radiation is thought to have evolved relatively recently (~5.5. Million years ago), having diversified within full lacustrine conditions (Day & Wilkinson, 2006; Day et al. 2009). This is also the case for other endemic Lake Tanganyika lineages such as mastacemblid eels (Brown et al. 2010) and platythelphusid crabs (Marijnissen et al. 2006) for example. Lake Tanganyikan Synodontis have also been shown to be Müllerian mimics (Wright 2011), and that at least one species (Synodontis multipunctata) is a brood parasite (Sato, 1986).
The earliest fossils of Synodontis in East African are from the Early Miocene
Synodontis species are omnivorous generalists, feeding on a wide spectrum of different foods and are largely unspecialized. They are bottom-feeders and may be detrivores, some species may also be able to adapt to filter feeding.[2] This allows them to cope with seasonal and habitat changes and gives them a better ability to colonize different habitats.[3] Species of Synodontis have been noted to reproduce with the flooding period of the rainy season.[2]
Many Synodontis species are prized ornamental fish in the fishkeeping hobby.[1]
Synodontis includes about 120 species.[1] Synodontis accounts for about one-quarter of African catfish species.[3] This genus has more members than any other African teleost genus other than Barbus and Haplochromis.[2]
The species list below is according to Ferraris, 2007; a number of species have been changed to fit the feminine gender of the genus.[4] Newer species are listed with references.
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