Mochokidae
| Mochokidae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Synodontis njassae | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Division: | Teleostei |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Superfamily: | Doradoidea |
| Family: | Mochokidae Jordan, 1923 |
| Genera | |
|
Acanthocleithron | |
The Mochokidae are a family of catfishes (order Siluriformes) that are known as the squeakers or upside-down catfish (although not all species swim upside-down). Nine genera and about 200 species of mochokids are described, all of which are freshwater species originating from Africa.[1] [2]
Member of this family 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) standard length.[2] This group contains many popular species among aquarists, such as Synodontis nigriventris, Synodontis angelicus, and Synodontis multipunctatus.
References
- ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Family Mochokidae". FishBase. December 2011 version.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Nelson, Joseph S. (2006). Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 0-471-25031-7. OCLC 224053746.
External links