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

The Mochokidae are a family of catfishes (order Siluriformes) that are known as the squeakers or known as 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]

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. 1 2 3 4 5 Nelson, Joseph S. (2006). Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 0-471-25031-7. OCLC 224053746.


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