Synodontis levequei Paugy, 1987
Synodontis levequei
photo by MNHN

Family:  Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes), subfamily: Mochokinae
Max. size:  17.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Konkouré basin, Guinea (Ref. 57223).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: -0. Diagnosis: gill slits not extending ventrally beyond pectoral-fin insertions; post-orbital length at least 60% of snout length; maxillary barbels longer than head but not reaching to pelvic fins, unbranched and without tubercles or distinctly visible basilar membrane; outer mandibular barbels with thin, rather long ramifications; branches of inner mandibular barbels short, thick and globose; mandibular teeth numbering 22-26 (25 in the holotype); denticulations of pectoral-fin spines weak, but stronger on outer than on inner margin; dorsal-fin spine smooth anteriorly; dorsal- as well as pectoral-fin spines distinctly curved distally; humeral process scarcely keeled ventrally; adipose fin rather well developed, low, distinctly separated from the rayed dorsal; maxillary barbels lemon-yellow; outer margins of caudal-fin lobes black (Ref. 57223). Coloration: back black, belly lighter, bronze-coloured; maxillary barbels citric-yellow in fresh specimens (white after preservation in formalin); all fins blackish, except the caudal which is centrally yellow and has black-edged outer margins (Ref. 57223).
Biology:  Oviparous (Ref. 205). Maximum TL recorded was 23.8 cm (Ref. 57223).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 27 March 2020 (B1ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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