Hemisynodontis membranaceus?

CatBrat · Post by **CatBrat** » 05 Jan 2007, 09:22

Hey all,
I just got this fish in at work. It came in as Synodontis Zambensis, but after looking through the cat-e-log I have a feeling that its Hemisynodontis membranaceus.

What do you all think?

Cheers, Jake.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » 05 Jan 2007, 09:41

Looks to be a brachysynodontis to me.

CatBrat · Post by **CatBrat** » 05 Jan 2007, 09:43

I had a look at that one too. Any reason you say that it would be brachysynodontis over Hemisynodontis?

Cheers, Jake.

Post by **Silurus** » 05 Jan 2007, 10:18

Head shape suggest Hemisynodontis over Brachysynodontis.

CatBrat · Post by **CatBrat** » 05 Jan 2007, 10:28

Cheers Silurus.
Just as a side note, are these fish very common in the trade? This is the first one I have seen in NZ, but thats not odd, because strange stuff doesn't often find its way here. What would you consider a normal price for them?

Our one is around $30NZD (about $15-20USD).

Cheers, jake.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » 05 Jan 2007, 11:27

"I had a look at that one too. Any reason you say that it would be brachysynodontis over Hemisynodontis? "

Not much, really--mostly differences in coloration (I also thought the adipose was a little low and from my point of view, it seems that the membranous mandibular barbels found in h. meb seems absent in this fish). The head does seem a bit smaller than that of the hemi, though now, the more I look at the fish in question, the more I'm convinced I'm wrong--I'm not really much of a mochokid man.

Oliver D. · Post by **Oliver D.** » 05 Jan 2007, 11:38

Hello!

I think the price is ok for these waterpig.

A dealer here in Austria offer them for about 23 EUR.

@Silurus
Is Hemisynodontis and Brachysynodontis valid now? Fishbase and "Catalog of fishes" count them to Synodontis.

Best Greetings,
Oliver

Post by **Silurus** » 05 Jan 2007, 11:48

Recent works have been synonymizing Hemisynodontis and Brachysynodontis with Synodontis, but there is little or no justification cited in them for doing so. FishBase and CoF are merely following the most recent literature in this regard.

Post by **corybreed** » 06 Jan 2007, 01:03

Definately Hemisynodontis membranaceus. Batensoda does not have those distinctive maxillary barbels.

Mark

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 07 Jan 2007, 10:04

Agree with Hemisynodontis due to barbel skin flaps & head shape (as have already been pointed out). Presuming this is a relatively small specimen based on colour pattern & gauge of mesh in the net in the photo it differs fairly considerably from the juv B.batensodas i have seen.

A nice find at a small size & from recent conversations i've had quite desirable, here in the uk

Richard B