Synodontis nummifer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Synodontis nummifer |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Synodontis
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| Species: |
nummifer
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The Synodontis nummifer, also known as the two spot synodontis, is a cool type of upside-down catfish. It lives in the Congo Basin in countries like Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of the Congo. A scientist named George Albert Boulenger first described this fish in 1899. Its name, "nummifer," comes from a Latin word meaning "to bear a coin," because of the big spots on its sides that look like coins!
What Does the Two Spot Synodontis Look Like?
This fish has an olive-colored back that fades to a whitish belly. On each side, above its middle line (called the lateral line), it has a large, round black spot. Sometimes, there's a second spot near its back fin. Its head also has many small spots.
Like other fish in its group, the two spot synodontis has a special bony spike called a humeral process. This spike is connected to a hard cap on its head. You can see it sticking out from behind its gill opening. This spike is wide and rounded at the end.
The first ray (or spine) of its dorsal fin (the one on its back) and its pectoral fins (the ones on its sides) are hard. They have jagged edges and are about as long as its head. The tail fin is deeply split, like a "V" shape.
This fish has short, cone-shaped teeth in its upper jaw. In its lower jaw, the teeth are S-shaped and can move. It has one pair of long feelers, called maxillary barbels, near its mouth. These are about as long as its head. It also has two pairs of shorter feelers, called mandibular barbels, which are often branched.
The adipose fin, a small fleshy fin near its tail, is about four times longer than it is deep. The pectoral spine, which is part of the pectoral fin, is a bit shorter than its head. It has strong jagged edges on both sides.
This species can grow to about 17.5 centimeters (about 7 inches) long. Some fish found in the wild have been even bigger, up to 20.5 centimeters (about 8 inches) long!
Where Does This Fish Live?
In the wild, the two spot synodontis lives in warm, tropical waters. The water temperature is usually between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius (72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). The water's pH (how acidic or basic it is) is typically between 6.4 and 7.2.
This fish has been found all over the Congo River basin. However, it does not live in the rivers that flow into the southern part of the Congo River.
Who Else Lives on This Fish?
Just like many other animals, the Synodontis nummifer can have tiny living things called parasites on it. These include very small creatures from a group called Synodontella.
