Synodontis albolineatus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Synodontis albolineatus |
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Synodontis
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albolineatus
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The Synodontis albolineatus, also known as the mustard catfish or mustard squeaker, is a special type of upside-down catfish. You can find it in the rivers of Gabon and Cameroon, mainly in the Ntem and Ivindo rivers.
A French scientist named Jacques Pellegrin first described this fish in 1924. He found the very first one, called a holotype, in the Djoua River near Madjingo, Gabon. The name "albolineatus" comes from Latin words: "albus" means "white" and "linea" means "line". This name refers to the white stripe on the side of the fish's body.
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What Does the Mustard Catfish Look Like?
The mustard catfish has a body that is dark brown to black. It often has cool turquoise-brown marbled patterns or spots. These spots are usually smaller on its head.
As the fish grows, a thick, white line appears along its side. This line runs horizontally along its entire body. Its fins are clear, but they also have brown spots. The top fin, called the dorsal fin, has one strong, hard spine and seven soft rays.
Special Features of This Fish
Like other fish in its group, the mustard catfish has a bony spike called a humeral process. This spike is connected to a hard cap on its head. You can see it sticking out past its gill opening.
The first ray of its dorsal fin and its pectoral fins (the fins on its sides) are also hard and have a saw-like edge. Its tail fin is forked, meaning it splits into two equal parts.
This fish has two types of teeth. In its upper jaw, it has short, cone-shaped teeth. In its lower jaw, the teeth are S-shaped and can move. It also has three pairs of whiskers, called barbels. One pair is near its mouth (maxillary barbels), and two pairs are on its chin (mandibular barbels), which are often branched.
How Big Does It Get?
The mustard catfish usually grows to about 10 centimetres (3.9 in) (about 4 inches) long, measured from its snout to the base of its tail. However, some have been found in the wild that are even bigger, up to 17.2 centimetres (6.8 in) (about 6.8 inches) long!
Where Does the Mustard Catfish Live?
In the wild, scientists have only found the mustard catfish in four places. These places are all along the Ntem and Ivindo rivers in Gabon and Cameroon.
