''Synodontis schall'', the Wahrindi, is a species of upside-down catfish widespread in northern Africa. This species is in the largest genus of the family Mochokidae. This species grows to a length of TL.

Distribution

''Synodontis schall'' is a species of catfish found in Africa. It is found mainly in Lake Nubia and is one of the only ''Synodontis'' species that have thrived in this lake and have adapted to new conditions, unlike the other species. Synodontis schall is able to adapt to many different kinds of food and habitats, increasing the chances of survival.

Appearance and anatomy

''Synodontis schall'' has a shield on its body and has strong bony

spine Spine or spinal may refer to: Science Biology * Vertebral column, also known as the backbone * Dendritic spine, a small membranous protrusion from a neuron's dendrite * Thorns, spines, and prickles, needle-like structures in plants * Spine (zoolog ...

s on the pectoral and dorsal fins. Some areas of new evolutionary forces have allowed for the ''Synodontis schall'' to have different phenotypes. Recent studies have found evidence for an increase number of teeth and gill rakers which could possibly point to a change from them being herbivores to carnivores. The

swim bladder The swim bladder, gas bladder, fish maw, or air bladder is an internal gas-filled Organ (anatomy), organ that contributes to the ability of many bony fish (but not cartilaginous fish) to control their buoyancy, and thus to stay at their curren ...

of ''Synodontis schall'' is whitish in appearance. Its walls are very thick and

elastic Elastic is a word often used to describe or identify certain types of elastomer, elastic used in garments or stretchable fabrics. Elastic may also refer to: Alternative name * Rubber band, ring-shaped band of rubber used to hold objects togeth ...

, with the posterior section being thicker than the front one. The roof of the front section of the swim bladder is directly attached to the backbone and the muscles which are connected to it are able to compress and contract the swim bladder. The grunting sounds created by the swim bladder are most likely made by the vibration of its walls. The sound is a deep grunting sound that can be heard for up to five meters away. The sound starts off sharply and then fades out within one fifth of a second. The fish will produce sounds when it is scared, in pain, when it has aggressive behavior and attacks other fish, and when it's spawning.

Diet

The diet of ''Synodontis schall'' is one of macrophytes and

algae Algae (; singular alga ) is an informal term for a large and diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms. It is a polyphyletic grouping that includes species from multiple distinct clades. Included organisms range from unicellular mic ...

, which are the two main types of food for them, fish and egg scales, insect

larvae A larva (; plural larvae ) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle. The ...

, and molluscs. This suggests that they are omnivores.

Reproduction

Not much is known about the

reproduction Reproduction (or procreation or breeding) is the biological process by which new individual organisms – "offspring" – are produced from their "parent" or parents. Reproduction is a fundamental feature of all known life; each individual or ...

of ''Synodontis schall''. Physical and biological factors can affect the fish as it matures. July to October is the time for spawning for them and an increase in spawning activity occurs when there is a lot of rain.

Relationship to humans

''Synodontis schall'' are very important to Benin, a country in Africa. Fishermen in Africa catch these fish in their nets and so they must break the spines of the fish to get them out of their nets. ''Synodontis schall'' can be caught for food or even traded since they are prized fish.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Synodontis Schall

schall Schall can refer to; People *Alvin Anthony Schall, American federal judge *Claus Schall (1757-1835), Danish violinist and composer *Eduardo Schall Jatyr, Brazilian basketball player *Ekkehard Schall (1930-2005), German stage and screen actor/dire ...

Catfish of Africa Freshwater fish of Kenya Freshwater fish of West Africa Fish of Cameroon Fish of Chad Fish of Egypt Fish of Ethiopia Fish of Sudan Fish described in 1801 Taxa named by Marcus Elieser Bloch Taxa named by Johann Gottlob Theaenus Schneider