Synodontis serratus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Synodontis serratus |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Synodontis
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| Species: |
serratus
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The Synodontis serratus, also called the shield-head squeaker, is a unique type of upside-down catfish. It lives in the Nile River basin. You can find it in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan. A German explorer named Eduard Rüppell first described this fish in 1829. He found it near Cairo, Egypt. The name serratus means "saw" in Latin. This refers to the saw-like spines on its fins.
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What Does This Fish Look Like?
Like all Synodontis fish, the shield-head squeaker has a strong, bony head. This head protection goes all the way back to its first dorsal fin spine. It also has a special bony part on its shoulder called a humeral process. The shape of this part helps scientists tell different Synodontis species apart. For S. serratus, this part is rough and longer than it is wide.
Its Whiskers and Fins
This fish has three pairs of barbels, which are like whiskers. One pair is on its upper jaw, and two pairs are on its lower jaw. The upper whiskers are straight and long. The outer pair of lower whiskers is about twice as long as the inner pair. These lower whiskers have many small branches.
The front edges of the dorsal fin (on its back) and pectoral fins (on its sides) are stiff spines. The dorsal spine is about as long as its head. It is smooth on the front but has saw-like teeth on the back. The pectoral fin spine is also saw-like on both sides. The adipose fin, a small fleshy fin, is quite long. The anal fin, near its tail, has a pointed front. Its tail, or caudal fin, has a deep notch, and the top part is often longer.
Its Teeth
All Synodontis fish have a special pad of teeth on their upper jaw. This pad has rows of short, chisel-shaped teeth. In the shield-head squeaker, this tooth pad is short and wide. On its lower jaw, the teeth are attached to flexible stalks. They are shaped like an "s" or a hook. The number of these teeth helps identify the species. The S. serratus usually has about 30 to 45 teeth on its lower jaw.
Color and Size
The shield-head squeaker is usually a plain grey or brownish color on its back. Its underside is white. Young fish might have small dark spots on their back and adipose fin. This fish can grow up to about 39.5 centimeters (about 15.5 inches) long. Female Synodontis fish are generally a bit bigger than males of the same age.
Where Does the Shield-Head Squeaker Live?
In the wild, this fish is only found in the Nile River basin. People in these areas catch it for food. It likes to live in deep water and in places with lots of rocks.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Scientists don't know much about how most Synodontis species reproduce. However, they believe that spawning, or laying eggs, probably happens during the flooding season. This is usually between July and October. During spawning, pairs of fish might swim together. The young fish grow very quickly in their first year. After that, their growth slows down as they get older.
