Synodontis melanopterus Boulenger, 1903

Family:  Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes), subfamily: Mochokinae
Max. size:  18.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Mono (Togo), Ouémé (Benin) and the Ogun, Osse and Lower Niger basin (Nigeria)(Ref. 57223).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-7; Anal spines: -0; Anal soft rays: 11-12. Diagnosis: gill slits not extending ventrally beyond pectoral-fin insertions; post-orbital length at least 60% of snout length; maxillary barbels longer than head, unbranched, without tubercles and bordered by a distinct black basal membrane; outer mandibular barbels with numerous short and simple ramifications, branches of inner mandibular barbels short, simple, but thick and sometimes tuberculate; mandibular teeth long, numbering 33-50; dorsal-fin spine and branched dorsal-fin rays prolonged into short filaments, the spine smooth anteriorly; denticulations of pectoral-fin spines finer on outer than on inner margin; humeral process rather slender, granulose, pointed and ventrally keeled; adipose fin well developed and rather close to rayed dorsal fin; colour uniformly dark, without spots on body or fins (Ref. 57223). Coloration: rather dark, slightly lighter on belly; fins blackish, sometimes faintly spotted (Ref. 57223).
Biology:  Oviparous (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 02 June 2019 (B2b(iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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