Scientific Name
Synodontis nigriventris

Common Name
Blotched upsidedown catfish

Biology
Feeds mainly at night on insects, crustaceans and plant matter (Ref. 7020). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 80 cm (Ref. 51539).

Classification

Classified By

David, 1936

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Squeakers or upside-down catfishes (Mochokidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: middle Congo River basin, including Pool Malebo (=Stanley Pool) and drainages of the Kasai and Ubangi (Ref. 78218, 82238). Questionably reported from Makaka, Republic of the Congo, outside the Congo River basin (Ref. 82238).

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

22 °C

Water Temperature To

26 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 12 benthopelagic

Trophic Level

2.93 s.e. 0.36 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

9.6 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (10 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)