Mochokidae

The Mochokidae are a family of catfishes (order Siluriformes) that are known as the squeakers and upside-down catfish (although not all species swim upside-down). There are nine genera and about 200 species of mochokids.[1] All the mochokids are freshwater species originating from Africa.[2]

Mochokidae
Synodontis njassae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Superfamily: Doradoidea
Family: Mochokidae
Jordan, 1923
Genera

Acanthocleithron
Atopochilus
Atopodontus
Chiloglanis
Euchilichthys
Microsynodontis
Mochokiella
Mochokus
Synodontis

They have three pairs of barbels, with the nasal barbels absent; sometimes, the mandibular barbels may be branched.[2] The lips are modified into a suckermouth in Atopochilus, Chiloglanis, and Euchilichthys.[2] The adipose fin is usually very long. The dorsal and pectoral fins have spines that are usually strong and with a locking mechanism.[2] They range in size up to 72 cm (28 in) SL.[2] This group contains many popular species among aquarists, such as Synodontis nigriventris, Synodontis angelicus, and Synodontis multipunctatus.

References
  1. Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2011). "Mochokidae" in FishBase. December 2011 version.
  2. Nelson, Joseph S. (2006). Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 0-471-25031-7. OCLC 224053746.


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